Sunday Fulham Stuff - 22/03/20...

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Sky Sports special on Race for the Golden Boot

Ollie Watkins interviewed for Sky Sports programme

Sky Sports will be running a special programme this evening looking at the leading scorers in the top tier. Brentford striker Ollie Watkins has hit 22 Sky Bet Championship goals this season, placing his second on the top scorer chart. Fulham's Aleksander Mitrović has scored 23 with no-one else finding the net more than 17 times.

The two were due to face off last Friday, 13 March, when Brentford travelled to Craven Cottage to play Fulham in a Championship fixture. The game - due to be televised live by Sky Sports - was postponed as the football season was placed on hold due to concerns related to Covid-19 (aka the Coronavirus). That head-to-head will have to wait.

As part of Sky's preparations for the game, they spoke to both Ollie and Aleksander. Both discussed their season so far and looked at some of their best goals. These interviews have been turned in to a special programme, which will broadcast on Sky Sports Fooball today, Saturday 21 March, at 5pm. It will be repeated through the week and will be available On Demand. Tune in and have a look.



https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/march/race-for-the-golden-boot/

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Fulham transfer archive – atrocious form led to owner trying to sue manager

Southampton manager Graeme Souness was really sold a stinker when he was convinced that Ali Dia was the cousin of George Weah. Subbed on to the pitch to make his debut, such was the lack of any discernible ability that he was soon hoicked back to the bench, then further and never to be seen again.

That's decisive action by a manager and it's a manager who has a role to play in this transfer story too – the story of Steve Marlet and Fulham. Former France international Marlet arrived at Craven Cottage from Olympique Lyon for a reported £11.5 million in early September 2001.

That outlay represented a club record fee at the time and shattered their previous record of £7 million paid to Juventus to land Dutch stopper Edwin van der Sar. At the time Marlet was just starting out on his international career with France and was about to win his 5th cap for Les Bleus; he would go on to eventually win 23 caps and score six goals for France.

Despite the fanfare, despite the record fee, Marlet didn't really cut the mustard at Craven Cottage. 72 games and 16 goals were the French striker's contribution for the Cottagers and in late-August 2003, Marlet was back in France on a two season loan deal that took him to Marseille. From there it was a free transfer to German side Wolfsburg in August 2005 and a further free transfer a year later from Wolfsburg to FC Lorient.

However, there is a side story to this and that was Fulham owner Mohammed Al-Fayed attempting to sue former manager Tigana for what they claimed to be their former manager persuading them to buy players over their valued odds. This centred around the captures of Marlet for £11.5 million and van der Sar for £7 million when Fulham valued them at £7 million and £5 million respectively.



https://the72.co.uk/159326/fulham-transfer-archive-atrocious-form-led-to-owner-trying-to-sue-manager/

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Fulham lost money in Premier League

Fulham, who lost £59 million in getting to the 'promised land' of the Premier League in 2018, lost £22 million in their one season there despite revenue more than trebling, reports Kieran Maguire.

Fulham's loans from parent company converted into shares almost immediately. Sales of Ryan Sessignon etc since year end have brought in a net £14 million.

Fulham committed to spending £99 million on capital projects at end of 2018/19.

Fulham player trading in 2018/19: purchases £120 million, sales £4 million. Fulham are owed £6.5 million by other clubs for player sales and owe £80 million in outstanding instalments on player purchases.



https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2020/03/fulham-lost-money-in-premier-league.html

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Fulham Football Leisure Limited Season 2018/19 Financial Results

Fulham Football Leisure Limited has recently reported its financial results for the season 2018/19.

The Club reported a loss of £20.2m for the year ended June 2019. During this term the Club competed in the Premier League.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/march/21/financial-results

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Fulham: £20m financial loss posted for Premier League relegation season of 2018-19

Last March, Fulham reported a loss of £45.2m for the year ending June 2018, when they were promoted

Fulham made a loss of just over £20m over the course of the 2018-19 season, when they were in the Premier League.

The Londoners were relegated from the top tier at the end of the campaign, finishing 19th in the table to end their one-year stay in the top flight.

Fulham's turnover increased by 259.5% in the Premier League, compared to the previous season in the Championship.

Wages were up by 70.5%, while their average home attendance at Craven Cottage rose from 19,910 to 24,371.

Fulham, who have undertaken works to redevelop Craven Cottage, were third in the second-tier table this term when the coronavirus pandemic saw the suspension of matches across England earlier in March.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51991236

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Leeds urged to sign 25-year-old Fulham star – Should Bielsa pay heed to this advice?

Why Leeds United should plot a move for Aleksandar Mitrovic

According to Football Insider (h/t The Shields Gazette), Leeds United have been urged to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic by BBC Pundit Noel Whelan.

Mitrovic, 25, came through the ranks of Partizan Belgrade's youth system in Serbia and moved to Anderlecht in 2013. After two years, Newcastle United signed him. However, he was sent on loan to Fulham after failing to hit top form at St. James' Park.

In his loan spell with the Championship side, he was instrumental in Fulham's promotion to the top flight and earned a permanent move. Last season, he scored 11 goals in the Premier League despite the club failing to secure Premier League status. Once again, he has been in fine form for the Cottagers this term.

Meanwhile, Leeds are facing a tough time amidst the league getting suspended as they hope for a promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 16 years. The Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa has managed to take his team atop the Championship table as they lead West Brom with one point.

They have been brilliant in their attacking unit, which consists of Patrick Bamford, Helder Costa and Jack Harrison. They have scored a total of 56 goals, which is impressive. And the backline, consisting of Ben White, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi have held their ground strongly.

Leeds have conceded just 30 goals so far, which is the best defensive record in the Championship. Overall, with a high-level performance, the team has been excellent despite a slight dip in their form last month.

However, the manager should prioritize strengthening the attacking unit, where most of the in-form players are on loan, except for Bamford. Therefore, they need to bring in reinforcements to bolster the depth in the squad.

In that case, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic would be a good choice for the club as the Serbian is in the form of his life.

The 25-year-old has been consistent in the past three years and has given his best for the Cottagers. In 34 games so far, he has scored 23 goals and is the leading goalscorer in the second division in this campaign.

Leeds signed Jean-Kevin Augustin in January, but the Frenchman has failed to deliver and doesn't seem to be at his best. And Tyler Roberts (21) is too young to be depended upon. Hence, the Whites should consider partnering Mitrovic with Bamford upfront.

The Serbian international has experience at a higher level and has also made 55 appearances for his country, leaving him with enough experience at the international level. He has been in devastating form for both club and country.

Verdict

The Whites are in dire need of reinforcements upfront and Mitrovic is in the form of his life. Given his abilities, he would certainly add depth and quality to the squad and has a lot more to offer at a higher level.

Therefore, Leeds should take the advice of Whelan and make a move for the former Newcastle man in the summer.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/03/22/why-leeds-united-should-plot-a-move-for-aleksandar-mitrovic/