Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 03/03/20...

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Results

Monday
Middlesborough	2-2	Nottm Forest

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'Shockwave' – Jim White makes big Leeds claim, Danny Murphy delivers title prediction

Jim White has said that the 4-0 hammering that Leeds United dished out to Hull sent a "shockwave" to their Championship rivals.

Talking on the White & Sawyer show on talkSPORT (Monday 11am) White said, "Leeds battered Hull at Hull 4-0. But I didn't think for a second that West Brom would lose to Wigan.

"The Leeds result sent a shockwave to their rivals".

Leeds recorded their fourth consecutive win and clean sheet, and moved to within a point of West Brom who lost to struggling Wigan.

Fulham, meanwhile, kept their bid for automatic promotion going with a 2-0 win against Preston.

However, guest Danny Murphy said that if he had to put money on one team to win the title this season, it would be West Brom.

He said the Leeds result wasn't "that much of a shock."

"Hull sold two of their best players, they struggled," Murphy said. "Leeds are a hell of a good side.

"They've had their wobble. Fulham had the chance to overtake them but they drew to Milwall, lost to Barnsley and now the gap is back again.

"It's a phenomenal league in so many ways. There are still 10 games to go – anything could happen. Even Brentford could surprise people.

"I think it's between Fulham and Leeds. I just think when you look at the West Brom squad they can call on the experience. They've got experienced players that can get them over the line.

"I'd go West Brom if I had to pick one."

March is going to be a key month for Leeds.

After two winnable games against Huddersfield and Cardiff, Leeds host Fulham at Elland Road. Three wins would put them on the brink of promotion – and Leeds fans won't care if they go up as champions or as runners-up.

The one thing Leeds fans don't want is to suffer the lottery of the play-offs again.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/shockwave-jim-white-makes-leeds-united-claim-danny-murphy-makes-promotion-prediction/

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3 things we learned about Fulham after their win over Preston

Fulham kept the pressure on the Championship top two and boosted their chances of a top-six finish by beating Preston North End 2-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Cottagers grabbed a vital victory that moves them nine points clear of seventh ahead of a run-in that sees them face a number of their promotion rivals.

Scott Parker's side did well to absorb some significant pressure in the first half before a David Nugent own-goal gave them the lead after 58 minutes.

Aboubakar Kamara sealed the victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time, capping off a lightning-quick break by firing the ball into the back of the net.

Fulham have to travel to another play-off contender, Bristol City, on Saturday but before the focus switches to that game, here are three things we learned about the West London side from the victory against Preston...

Michael Hector continues to prove his importance.
The German defender was fantastic for Fulham on Saturday, continuing what has been a hugely impressive start to life in West London.

Hector only officially signed with the club in January but has become integral to this side and you feel he will be key if they're to secure promotion.

In the first half, he made two goal-saving interventions in his own box, while he showed real composure to start the break that led to Kamara's late goal.

They showed they can be adaptable.
Fulham dominated possession on Saturday but they had to absorb a lot of pressure, as Preston pushed hard to make a breakthrough.

The victory was an important one as Parker's side showed that they can be adaptable and are able to find a way to win games that do not necessarily go their way.

They will likely have to claim a few more results this way in the conclusion to the season, as they have games against some of the division's top sides still to come.

Marek Rodak appears to have returned to form after a brief wobble.
The 23-year-old's performances against Millwall and, particularly, Barnsley, a few weeks ago will have been a worry but he looks back to form now.

He was impressive against Preston, making some important saves and ensuring his side kept another clean sheet.

Rodak has been excellent over the last three weeks, it seems he is back in form at the perfect time with just 10 games left of the season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-things-we-learned-about-fulham-after-their-win-over-preston/

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 Sky Sports EFL Podcast: Leeds flying, WBA stumble and David Prutton's predicted table
Listen to a new episode of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast released every Monday

On this week's Sky Sports EFL Podcast, we assess all the weekend's action from the Championship, including a thumping win for Leeds, a battling victory for Fulham and a shock defeat for West Brom against Wigan.

We then put the Ten To Tackle challenge to Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson, before his former team-mate and Sky Sports presenter David Prutton - who predicts the Championship fixtures every week - talks us through what the table would look like if all his tips came true.

Attention then turns to all the League One action, after Coventry went top following a win over Sunderland, and League Two, where we discuss another win for Cheltenham and a frustrating week for Oldham that ended in an emphatic and much-needed win at Boundary Park.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11689/11947862/sky-sports-efl-podcast-leeds-flying-wba-stumble-and-david-pruttons-predicted-table

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'He'll be a big loss' – Fulham boss Scott Parker on absence of 'superb' player

Joe Bryan could miss a potential reunion with former club Bristol City this weekend after suffering a hamstring injury in Fulham's 2-0 victory over Preston North End at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The defender, who has been in excellent form for the Whites in recent weeks, lasted just nine minutes before he was replaced by Cyrus Christie, leaving Scott Parker with no recognised left-backs ahead of the trip to Ashton Gate on Saturday lunchtime.

Parker didn't confirm the extent of Bryan's injury, but all-but confirmed that the 26-year-old is set for a spell on the sidelines.

"He has hurt his hamstring. It's still too early to say the extent and how bad it is, we will probably have to assess that on Monday," the Whites boss told the club's website.

"But he has been superb for us Joe, but he looks like he'll be out for – the time we're not sure – but it'll be a big loss because like I say, he has been very good.

The Verdict
Make no mistake, Bryan's injury spells disaster for Parker, it's the one position he couldn't afford an injury in.

The ex-Robins man is Fulham's only left-footed full-back, meaning Dennis Odoi – who switched over to the left against Preston on Saturday – is likely to play there.

It's another major defensively blow for Parker, who is already without January signing Terence Kongolo (foot) injury for the remainder of the campaign, Alfie Mawson, who hasn't played since January and experienced-Frenchman Maxime Le Marchand.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/hell-be-a-big-loss-fulham-boss-scott-parker-on-absence-of-superb-player/

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'Deserved but worrying' – Some Fulham fans react as player takes more Preston plaudits

Fulham beat Preston North End 2-0 in the Championship on Saturday to remain firmly in the automatic promotion picture.

The Whites' second Craven Cottage success in the space of four days kept them five points behind second-placed Leeds United as they look to make an instant return to the Premier League after last seasons sorry relegation.

Surprisingly, the ever-reliable Aleksander Mitrovic wasn't on the scoresheet against North End – a David Nugent own goal and a stoppage-time Aboubakar Kamara strike turned out to be enough for Scott Parker's men.

With the likes of Tom Cairney and others not at their best, an unlikely source in the shape of Cyrus Christie stepped up to the plate and produced an excellent performance – and was rewarded by being named the club's man of the match.

Fulham's official Twitter announced it on Monday and despite not being a fan favourite in west London in recent times, this was certainty a popular choice among the Whites faithful.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/deserved-but-worrying-some-fulham-fans-react-as-player-takes-more-preston-plaudits/

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Feature: How Bobby Reid is reinventing himself at Fulham after his Cardiff City shortcomings

August 2019, Bobby Reid completes a loan move to Fulham after a largely ineffectual first season with Cardiff City in the Premier League, with Neil Warnock's side being condemned to Championship football once more after a one season stay in the top flight.

With only five goals and four assists during his first season with the South Wales club, Reid was in clear need of a fresh start after failing to really impress for the Bluebirds upon their return to the Premier League.

Blessed with the ability to adapt to playing in various different positions, the former Bristol City man struggled to hold down a consistent role in Warnock's direct system, often cutting a frustrated figure as a lone striker on many an occasion throughout the campaign.

As a result of Cardiff's subsequent relegation, it was made clear that Reid was deemed as being surplus to requirements, with the 27-year-old departing for Craven Cottage last summer.

After slowly integrating himself into Scott Parker's possession based style of play, Red initially struggled under the stewardship of the former West Ham and Tottenham midfielder, falling behind the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara in the pecking order for the role of lone striker in Parker's preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Struggling to find a place for his new recruit in his chosen system, Parker attempted to find a solution for Reid by deploying the forward in various positions along the front line, be it out wide or as a number nine, yielding mixed results.

The 27-year-old has now however seemingly found his calling in recent weeks, with Parker's decision to deploy the player in the midfield three giving Reid a seemingly new lease of life.

Acting as something of a box to box link between attack and defence, Red's workrate and dribbling ability allows Fulham to break forward quickly, with the player capable of turning defence into attack quickly when he drives into open space.

Combining Reid's skill set with that of Messrs Tom Cairney and Harry Arter gives the Cottagers the perfect balance, thus allowing the trio to provide a good defensive screen in front of the Fulham backline when out of possession whilst also providing subsequent support to Mitrovic in the final third via central areas when on the attack.

Though his passing accuracy and range needs some work, Reid's new position on the field of play allows the attacker to take up positions that are tougher for opposition defenders to pick up, as many central defenders are reluctant to break their line in order to track the 27-year-old's runs between the lines.

This therefore allows the Whites to create more overloads in central areas when they are looking to maintain possession within the opposition's half, thus making their approach play a lot tougher to defend against.

The subsequent overload in the centre allows the side's wingers, Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert, more space to operate in as a result, thus increasing the probability of the wide players getting to the byline and putting in a cross or performing a cut back for their teammates to get on the end of.

Discovering a new role in this current Fulham side could well define the future years of Reid's career, with the player well into his prime years as a professional after enjoying previous spells with the likes of Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.

Given his age, it is natural to assume that the attacker's pace is likely to be reduced as he gets older, thus making the possibility of establishing himself as a regular in the centre of midfield even more likely, particularly if the player wishes to prolong his playing days into his early 30s.

Many forward players have made such an adaptation in the past with Alan Smith and more recently Wayne Rooney having become midfield players in the latter years of their careers, with the position allowing them to display their talents without the exertion of having to lead the line.

After a slow start to life in the capital, Reid is now well on his way towards re-establishing himself as one of the best utility men in the Championship, ahead of what promises to be a pivotal summer in the 27-year-old's career.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/feature-how-bobby-reid-is-reinventing-himself-at-fulham-after-his-cardiff-city-shortcomings/

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Fulham loanee Jean Michael Seri discusses his relationship with Galatasaray fans

Jean Michael Seri has expressed his delight upon winning over the hearts of Galatasaray fans this season.

The Ivory Coast international joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Fulham last summer.

Despite a slow start to the season, Seri has gone onto establish himself as a key member of manager Fatih Terim's starting eleven.

The 28-year-old was the man of the match during Galatasaray's win over bitter rivals Fenerbahce and Seri was on form once again on Sunday as the Lions comfortably defeated Genclerbirligi 3-0.

"I'm delighted. The messages and support I receive from our fans are incredible. I'm just happy that I have been able to show everybody the real Seri and that I've won over the fans' hearts," Seri told the daily Turkish newspaper Sabah.

"The first half of the season was difficult for me as I joined late and missed the pre-season camp.

"However, after getting back up to speed in January I feel great."

Galatasaray have won every single game in 2020 and now sit joint top of the Turkish Super Lig alongside Trabzonspor.

The Lions have an option to sign Seri from Fulham for £18m. Galatasaray are back in action this weekend when they take on title rivals Sivasspor.

Seri has provided two assists and scored one goal in 17 Turkish Super Lig appearances for the Lions so far this season.

The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract with Fulham.



https://turkish-football.com/fulham-loanee-jean-michael-seri-discusses-his-relationship-with-galatasaray-fans/

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West Brom: Fans would like to see Aleksandar Mitrovic join the Baggies

Some West Brom fans have identified Fulham attacker Aleksandar Mitrovic as the one Championship player they would like to see join the Baggies.

West Brom-focused fan Twitter account, @ALBIONFANTV, recently made a post asking some Baggies supporters which one player, from a rival Championship team, they would like to see at the club. Many of the Baggies fans who replied to this post subsequently identified Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic as the Championship player they would most like to see their club sign.

Mitrovic is currently the Championship's top goalscorer for the 2019/20 season, having scored a total of 23 goals in his 33 Championship games this season so far. Given his impressive goalscoring record this season, it may be easy to see why some West Brom fans would jump at the chance to add the 25-year-old Serbian international to their squad.

Read the posts from some West Brom fans identifying Mitrovic as the one Championship player, they would like to see their club sign in the tweets below.

What do we think?

Mitrovic impressively managed to get his goals total into double figures in Fulham's unsuccessful 2018/19 Premier League campaign. Despite ultimately being relegated, Mitrovic's impressive form provided one positive for Fulham fans to take from the season. The Serbian scored 11 of Fulham's 34 Premier League goals during the 2018/19 campaign.

With just 10 games to go in the current Championship season, the Baggies are currently in a good position to achieve promotion to the Premier League. West Brom currently sit at the top of the Championship table with six points separating them from third-placed Fulham, who are their nearest challengers currently sitting outside of the automatic promotion spots.

Many West Brom fans may be thinking about adding some proven Premier League quality to their squad by targeting Mitrovic. Should West Brom achieve promotion to the Premier League, Mitrovic may be a wise target given his Premier League experience.



https://thisisfutbol.com/2020/03/twitter/west-brom-fans-would-like-to-see-aleksandar-mitrovic-join-the-baggies/

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Fulham: Fans wax lyrical over Kamara's late goal

Fulham beat Preston North End at Craven Cottage on Saturday to keep the pressure on the Championship's top two. A David Nugent own goal combined with Aboubakar Kamara's injury-time strike ensured the Londoners took all three points.

With ten games still to be played, Scott Parker's side remains within five points of Leeds United in second and six of West Bromwich Albion who lead the division. Kamara picked up the ball midway inside his own half after his side had just defended a corner and after an exchange with Ivan Cavaleiro he found the back of the net to seal the points for the Cottagers.

Prompting these supporters to take to social media and praise the 24-year-old.

What do we think?

Aboubakar Kamara has only been in Scott Parker's Championship starting eleven 19% of the time this season but during his 23 league appearances so far, he has managed four goals and four assists. Having signed from SC Amiens in July 2017 for £5.4m, the striker spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Yeni Malatyaspor in Turkey (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).

According to WhoScored.com, his cameo appearance earned him a performance rating of 7.1/10 and therefore we believe his contributions could be the difference between his side squeezing into the automatic promotion places and having to settle for the play-offs.




https://thisisfutbol.com/2020/03/twitter/fulham-fans-wax-lyrical-over-kamaras-late-goal/