Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 24/03/20...

[WhiteJC]

What have the Fulham players been up to over the weekend in isolation?

Clubs are facing difficult times at the moment, with football suspended until April 30 at the earliest.

Additionally, players and coaches are being advised to self-isolate which restricts training and fitness, as they look to anticipate when they will be able to get back onto the pitch.

One of the worst affected clubs will be Fulham, with the West London club based in a city that has been heavily affected.

With players unable to train as a group this weekend in the absence of a match, players have been stuck at home.

However, they put their time to good use by producing a heartfelt video for Mother's Day.

Elsewhere, the club issued an update for supporters looking to secure a refund for the tickets they purchased for matches that have since been postponed.

The update confirms that the tickets can be used for the rearranged matches, should they take place, while supporters can also apply for a refund.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-have-the-fulham-players-been-up-to-over-the-weekend-in-isolation/

[WhiteJC]

as there is little "news" I'll update as/when/if I find any

stay safe
John(WhiteJC)

[WhiteJC]

Coronavirus: EFL chairman Rick Parry says clubs should 'reset' after pandemic

Former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was named as the EFL's new chairman in September 2019

English Football League clubs should aim to "reset" their business models following the coronavirus pandemic, says EFL chairman Rick Parry.

On 18 March, the EFL said it would release a £50m short-term relief fund to help clubs with cash-flow issues.

There have been calls for the Premier League to help the lower leagues, with the £50m labelled "nowhere near enough" by Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling.

"I'm not a fan of the begging-bowl culture," Parry told BBC Radio 5 live.

"[Rather than] just looking for handouts, it's better to go with a self-help mentality, saying 'this is what we've done, this is the problem that we find ourselves in, so how can we all help to produce a better future?'

"I think it's much better, in dialogue with the Premier League, to talk about sustainable futures and how we might be able to have a reset going forward."

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley manager Brian Laws has been among those to urge top-flight stars to donate some of their wages to struggling colleagues.

Ivor Heller, commercial director at League One club AFC Wimbledon, suggested Premier League players should offer 20% of their salaries to help the lower levels of the pyramid.

"The players themselves should see, if they could give up 20% of their wages to go to grassroots footballers further down the pyramid, that could save everybody," Heller said.

"That doesn't seem like too big an ask. I do not begrudge people earning huge money in normal times, I don't.

"The true fact of it is though, if you're earning £100,000 a week and you can't survive on £80,000 a week, you've got something very badly wrong in your life."

'If coronavirus doesn't focus minds on finances, what will?'

But Parry urged a more sustainable solution for the EFL's 71 member clubs, highlighting the widespread financial losses that have been incurred prior to the pandemic starting.

"We've already been looking at measures to control costs. In the Championship, wages represent 107% of turnover of clubs," Parry continued.

"That is completely and utterly unsustainable in any climate. In this climate, it comes home to roost very quickly when there's no money coming through the door.

"We need to have better cost-control measures. I'm sure we will because, if this doesn't focus minds, frankly, what will."

Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert from the University of Liverpool, added: "The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is £100m a year and that encourages casino-style ownership.

"In does mean some owners take a very risky approach. They're effectively twisting on 19.

"You can't run a business on a long-term basis if you're going to be spending £107 in wages for every £100 that comes through the door."

Knock-on effects 'could last 18 months'

Parry also warned that the impact of the coronavirus could be long-lasting.

The English football season has been suspended until at least 30 April, but he warned next season's start date cannot be guaranteed.

"The idea that this is going to be neatly over in June and next season starts in August, I think is wishful thinking. I think there's going to be a knock-on effect for 18 months so we need a lot of flexibility," he said.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51989631

[bog]

Thanks for your consistent efforts John.   :54:

[SuffolkWhite]

Thanks for the news whitejc, interesting comment on players wages! I have said for a long time that there should be a players cap on wages, absolutely not sustainable.

[WhiteJC]

emembering When Knockaert & City Buried Their Watford Demons

Football often projects contrasting emotions to a mass audience, but even by its usual standards, the footage beamed around the world from Vicarage Road on 12 May, 2013 was dramatic.

It was the second leg of the Championship Play-Offs Semi-Finals and, with the scores locked at 2-2 on aggregate, visiting Leicester City were awarded a last-gasp penalty against Watford.

The Foxes had won the first leg 1-0 at King Power Stadium, courtesy of David Nugent's solitary strike, before finding themselves 2-1 behind in Hertfordshire, despite another smart Nugent effort.

A brace from Matej Vydra may have given the Hornets a lead on the day, but with the aggregate score being level, Anthony Knockaert's 90th-minute spot-kick, if scored, would have sent City to Wembley.

There was debate over the legitimacy of the decision, with the home side feeling harshly treated after Marco Cassetti was punished for a foul on Knockaert himself by referee Michael Oliver.

Few could have predicted what was about to follow, though, as home goalkeeper Manuel Almunia first saved Knockart's penalty before smothering the rebound - and then Watford broke on the counter.

Leicester's fans were cursing their luck as extra-time and penalties awaited, but the commentary available on Sky Sports told a different tale as the nightmare deepened for the travelling Blue Army.

"Absolutely astonishing!" roared Sky's anchor that day. "Now, here come Watford. Forestieri... here's Hogg... Deeney! Do not scratch your eyes! You are really seeing the most extraordinary finish here!"

Despite being so close to a Wembley final, it was Watford who booked their place in the showpiece event, after remarkably rushing up the other end and scoring a dramatic last-minute winner.

The scenes which followed, before the referee's full-time whistle, saw hundreds of delirious Hornets fans rush onto the field, as the cameras focused in on a distraught Knockaert.

As Leicester came to terms with the events of that afternoon in Watford, manager Nigel Pearson built the foundations on a promotion bid which would bypass the necessity for play-offs. 

By the time the Foxes were back in Hertfordshire, the following season, Pearson's men had won nine of their opening 13 fixtures and occupied a place in the Championship's top two places.

Naturally, the pre-match conversation centred on the events of that May day in Watford, but Pearson nonetheless entrusted Knockaert - a major character in that particular drama - with a starting place.

Whether or not Leicester's players allowed the subtext to influence their preparations, it was a talking point, but it was quickly replaced by a new story on 2 November 2013, as City's promotion big gathered speed.

A freak goal from Chris Wood gave Leicester the lead early on before destiny stepped in to play a considerable role in proceedings, laying it up perfectly for Knockaert to bury his demons at Vicarage Road.

His riffled finish after the interval was a cathartic moment, both individually and collectively, before Lloyd Dyer's left-footed finish late on wrapped up a hard-earned victory for the flying Foxes.

Demons were buried in some style as City used a terrible experience seven months previously to galvanise themselves towards a greater achievement - automatic promotion from the Championship.

"The win was underpinned by the team's performance," Pearson said at full-time. "We always looked dangerous, I thought we counter-attacked particularly well but this year our ball management has been a lot better than last season. We're doing okay at the moment and the players have continued to put an awful lot of commitment into the season so far."

It turned out to be just one of 31 league victories for Pearson's men that season as the Foxes accumulated a stunning 102 points to finally end their 10-year exile from the Premier League.



https://www.lcfc.com/news/1642552/remembering-when-knockaert--city-buried-their-watford-demons/featured

[WhiteJC]

Fulham player fits what another club 'needs and wants' – Summer transfer depends on Cottagers

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa joined Villarreal on a season-long loan deal from Fulham and the La Liga side have an option to make his transfer permanent for €25m this summer.

On March 19th, AS explained the defensive midfielder's continuity with the Yellow Submarine is 'very difficult', even if the Cottagers offer them a discount.

Super Deporte claims the Cameroon international enjoyed a good run in the first half of this season, but he lost prominence in the team in recent times. Therefore, Villarreal will not keep him at the club beyond his loan period.

The same report also states there remains a possibility for the 24-year-old to continue in Spain.

It's claimed Levante have set their sights on the Fulham owned player and they want to take advantage of the fact that Villarreal won't exercise the option to make his transfer permanent.

'Anguissa fits what Levante needs and wants', but he isn't the only player that's been identified as a target for the upcoming transfer window.

For Levante to sign Anguissa, they also need to find out what the future holds for him at Craven Cottage and whether Fulham will be open to the idea of allowing the player go out on loan next season.

Time should tell...



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-fit-what-another-club-needs-and-wants-summer-transfer-depends-on-cottagers/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham legend Gordon Davies gives his verdict on beating Leeds to top spot

Fulham legend Gordon Davies has given his verdict on whether his side can leapfrog Leeds United to top spot in the Championship table, in conversation with Love Sport Radio.

At present, the Whites are at the summit on 71 points, with West Brom a point and a place behind, and Fulham third on 64 points, all teams having played 37 league games.

English football is currently in hiatus due to the world health crisis, but a statement by the game's national authorities outlined the desire to finish the 2019-20 campaign.

Given the unprecedented situation, there has been much discussion over what to do with the season, including declaring it complete based on current standings, or rendering it null and void.

However, the football authorities say they're united in their "commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so."

Assuming the season does resume at a later date with things as they are in the table, Davies is confident of a top-two finish – but admits that Leeds are now too far ahead, barring a miracle.

"I definitely think we can still catch the second spot," Davies, Fulham's record goalscorer, told Love Sport Radio.

"I've got a feeling Leeds have had their bumpy period, they are still going for the jugular in every game that they're playing in and they're scoring goals and winning games late on, that is one thing that sometimes we don't do.

"So I still think we can finish second, definitely, but I think the top spot, unless it is a bit of a miracle, is out of our grasp now."

TBR View:

Leeds stand on the edge of glory, with Premier League football within their grasp, and should the Championship season resume at a later date, the Whites will hope to finally get over the line

Likewise, Fulham will hope to either overtake West Brom or, failing that, go up through the playoffs like they did in 2018.

A lot can happen in nine games, however, and with the disruption caused to the players' training and fitness across the leagues, it remains to be seen whether teams can pick up from where they left off, or whether some shock results will take place.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-legend-gordon-davies-gives-his-verdict-on-whether-leeds-can-be-beaten-to-top-spot/

[WhiteJC]

'Best we've ever had', 'Legend' – Fulham social post draws near-unanimous response from many fans

Fulham have reached out to fans out on Instagram and asked them to pick between five of the club's finest defenders from the last few decades, which has led to near-unanimous support for Brede Hangeland.

The Cottagers have spent much of the last few decades in the Premier League and had some fantastic players during that time, particularly in their defensive line.

With EFL games suspended until the 30th of April at the earliest due to the Covid-19, clubs have had to be creative to keep fans entertained.

To that end, Fulham reached out to supporters on Instagram to ask them to choose between five of their finest defenders from the last 20 years.

Included in the post was Tim Ream, Aaron Hughes, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, and Ryan Fredericks.

Ream has been a Fulham stalwart in recent years–making 187 appearances since signing for the club in 2015–and has been integral to their promotion push this season.

Hughes spent seven years at Craven Cottage between 2007 and 2014–amassing 250 appearances for the club, who were in the Premier League at the time, and playing a key role in their run to the Europa League final.

Joining from FC Copeganen in 2008, Hangeland went on to make 272 appearances for the club before his exit in 2014. The towering central defender was a key man during that time and was integral during their Europa League run.

Another player from the late 2000s to mid-2010s era, Baird featured 172 times for the Cottagers and proved himself as a key utility man–featuring all across the backline and in defensive midfield.

The most modern of the defenders included, Fredericks was integral to Fulham's promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and made more than 100 appearances across just three seasons with the club.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/best-weve-ever-had-legend-fulham-social-post-draws-near-unanimous-response-from-many-fans/

[WhiteJC]

Did you know these 2 Fulham facts?

Fulham have made good progress this season as they look to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.

With Scott Parker at the helm, the Cottagers find themselves 3rd in the Championship with nine games remaining–six points back from the automatic promotion places but nine points clear of Bristol City in seventh.

Many at the west London club will likely consider themselves a deserving top-flight club, understandable given their record over the last 20 years, but it appears they will need to successfully navigate the play-offs if they're to get back to the promised land this season.

Fulham have got a rich and storied history, which has included more than a few twists and turns, Parker's squad will undoubtedly be hoping they can write their place in it by sealing promotion when the 2019/20 campaign finally concludes.

Here we take a look at two Fulham fans that you may or may not have heard about before...

The oldest club in London
As of the start of the current campaign, there are 12 London-based clubs playing in the English professional leagues. Five in the Premier League, five in the Championship, one in League One and one in League Two.

Amongst those 12, Fulham are uniquely placed as the oldest professional football club in London. The west London club was formed back in 1879–earlier than any other club in the nation's capital.

They were not the first club in the city to turn professional, however, as they gained that status in 1898–eight years after Arsenal (known as Royal Arsenal at the time).

What's in a nickname?
As nicknames for football clubs go, the Cottagers is relatively self-explanatory as the west London club play at Craven Cottage, which has a cottage in the corner.

However, that was not always the case. Fulham's original nickname was the Saints as when they were originally formed by a group of worshipers from a church in West Kensington they were known as Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School FC.

When the club shortened its name to just Fulham FC in 1889 they made the decision to drop the Saints nickname.

A wise move in my book as otherwise they'd have to share their nickname with a string of other sides, including Southampton and St Albans.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/did-you-know-these-2-fulham-facts/

[WhiteJC]

'I don't eat regularly, I miss meals. When it all gets taken away you have no purpose': Fulham captain Tom Cairney reveals how lack of football has left him feeling bereft as he struggles at home during the coronavirus lockdown

    Tom Cairney has spoken candidly about the effects of being stuck at home
    The Fulham midfielder admitted that he was finding life without football difficult
    He misses the structure provided by training and preparing for matches
    Cairney said that he had 'a really weird feeling' due to the levels of inactivity
    The Championship is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic
    Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Fulham captain Tom Cairney has admitted that he feels like he has 'no purpose' after football was postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

Cairney spoke candidly about how he felt his life had lost all its structure, with no matches to play and clubs having instructed players to stay at home and not come in for training as part of wider measures to try to slow infection rates of the virus.

The 29-year-old midfielder also admitted that, despite Fulham having 'sent through a programme about a week ago', he was not getting up at a specific time and was missing scheduled meals.


Fulham captain Tom Cairney is struggling during the coronavirus shutdown of football

Speaking on talkSPORT, Cairney said the biggest struggle he has experienced during the lockdown is 'the timings'.

'We're so used to getting up at 9, get an omelette at half nine, get some treatment at 10, outside at half 10,' he said.

'It's that bit that's the big change. I haven't got a time to get up, I don't eat regularly, I miss meals.

'You're always just preparing for the next game or the next training session. When it all gets taken away you have no purpose.

'It's a really weird feeling.'

Until the season was postponed, Cairney had helped Fulham to third place in the Championship table, six points behind the automatic promotion slots.

The league is scheduled to resume on May 2, with Fulham due to play at Wigan, but a resumption on that date looks increasingly unlikely.

The peak of the epidemic in the United Kingdom is forecast to be in June and ever stricter measures are being taken by the government to increase social distancing, which is meant to try and slow the progress of the virus.


Cairney told talkSPORT that he was missing meals and felt like he had no purpose


The gates are closed at Fulham's Craven Cottage home due to the coronavirus crisis



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8147157/Coronavirus-UK-Fulham-captain-Tom-Cairney-reveals-feels-no-purpose-without-football.html

[WhiteJC]

'No purpose': Senior Fulham ace on talkSPORT says exactly what Leeds fans want to hear– MOT View

It's fair to say that the Leeds United team under Bielsa is the fittest in the Championship.

Bielsa makes huge demands on his players and his intense training sessions have been well documented since he first arrived.

With all training grounds on lockdown and football suspended, it's down to the players to keep themselves fit at home.

The Leeds players are on tailored programs, which includes a continuation of the strict diet the players have been on all season.

Patrick Bamford has said the Leeds players are keeping the training load up as much as possible so they have an easy transition when they return to Thorp Arch.

The same positive message isn't coming out of the Fulham camp.

Club captain Tom Cairney gave a very dispirited interview on talkSPORT on Tuesday morning.

Talking with Jamie O'Hara on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, he said, "We got sent through a program a week ago."

O'Hara asked, "Are you doing it?"

There was a pause before Cairney said, "Yep."

Cairney then went onto say: "I don't have a time to get up, I don't eat regularly, I miss meals.

"I just think you're always training for the next game and when all of it is taken away you have no purpose."

We'd be really worried if Liam Cooper was talking like this after 10 days in shutdown.

Instead, all the messages that have been coming out of the Leeds camp have been positive and eloquent.

There's a long way to go before training grounds re-open, let alone football re-starts and one of the key factors to securing promotion will now be ensuring that the Leeds players stay fit and healthy.

We can't think of anyone better suited for that task than Bielsa and his backroom staff.

In the meantime, this is exactly the sort of talk that Leeds fans want to hear from the only team that can realistically catch us.



https://motleedsnews.com/players/no-purpose-comments-from-senior-fulham-player-exactly-what-leeds-united-fans-want-to-hear-mot-view/

[WhiteJC]

3 for 2 On The Online Store

Purchase any three retail items at the Fulham online store for the price of two!

With a fantastic range of discounts already applied on this season's kit and trainingwear, be sure to fill your basket to take advantage of this unique offer.

Everything you can find online including this year's exclusive COPA range, our 19/20 home and away kits and much more are all available in our 3 for 2 offer!

Shop online today!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/march/24/3for2

[WhiteJC]

Skipper explains why Scott Parker deserves credit for what he's doing at Fulham

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney believes manager Scott Parker deserves more credit for his work at Craven Cottage this term, with the Londoners currently sitting third in the Championship table.

Parker was appointed as permanent boss at Fulham following the club's relegation from the Premier League last season, and the former midfielder has guided the Cottagers towards a serious promotion push on their return to the second tier this campaign.

Fulham endured a rocky start to the season as they re-adapted to life in the Championship but the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Michael Hector and Cairney have all played key roles in ensuring the west London side are just six points adrift of the top two at present.

It remains to be seen whether Fulham will achieve automatic-promotion during the final run-in given the EFL's fixture suspension at present, but Cairney has now publicly voiced his support of Parker who he feels has performed a fantastic job at the Cottage.

Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT, Cairney claimed Parker has not received the credit he deserves for his efforts as the club's manager this term, while he pointed to Stoke as an example of how top-flight relegation can sometimes hit teams hard.

'For his first job, I don't think that he gets the credit that he deserves for what he's done," Cairney said.

"People say he's got one of the best squads in the Championship so if he does well then it's because he should do well, but it doesn't always work like that.

"Relegated teams have not always done great in the Championship – you look at the likes of Stoke and teams like that – so he deserves a lot of credit."

Cairney has been a regular in his attacking-midfield role for the Cottagers in the Championship with the club captain having netted eight goals and registered three assists during his 34 appearances this campaign.

The Verdict

Parker is definitely worthy of some credit given the fact he has led Fulham towards a serious promotion push this season, but the west London club would have surely been expecting the Cottagers to be occupying one of the top-two spots given the quality of the squad.

This means Parker has perhaps performed just below the expectations at the start of the season, and this could be why the 39-year-old has not received widespread plaudits for his work at Craven Cottage this term despite this being his first full season in management.

However, Fulham's season will of course be deemed a success if they can go on to seal promotion via one of the automatic spots or through the play-offs, and this is why Parker's performance as manager should only be fully judged at the end of the campaign.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/skipper-explains-why-scott-parker-deserves-credit-for-what-hes-doing-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Stay Home, Stay Fulham Fit

The Foundation is working closely with Fulham Football Club to launch a range of initiatives to support the community during this time.

In recognition of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, the Foundation is focusing on the following priorities:

•          Encourage physical and mental wellbeing

•          Ease the burden of social distancing/social isolation for the most vulnerable, namely those living with disabilities and the elderly

•          Support families in providing ongoing learning opportunities for children at home

With these priorities in mind, the following initiatives will be rolled out this week:

•          Befriending telephone service for the elderly and vulnerable – Foundation and Club staff will check-in with participants and Fulham supporters on a regular basis to ensure social connections remain intact, as well as to provide further information and support in sign-posting

•          Stay Home, Stay Fulham Fit – Online content available free of charge through the Club's match streaming service, Fulham TV, for children, young people and adults. Content will range from physical and mental wellbeing practices to educational activities for children and young people, and modified exercises for the elderly to avoid de-conditioning during this time

We invite everyone to take part in these daily challenges and activities designed to support wellbeing. Our overarching focus is the wellbeing of our supporters and participants. We are continuously reviewing how we can best support the community in line with Government guidance.  If you are a Fulham supporter or Foundation participant, we encourage you to share your ideas with us via [email protected].



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/march/24/stay-home-stay-fulham-fit