Monday Fulham Stuff - 01/06/20...

[WhiteJC]

Harrison Reed sends determined message as Fulham gear up for EFL return

Harrison Reed is ready for the season to get back underway as the midfielder looks to help Fulham get over the line in the race for promotion this season.

The 25-year-old joined Fulham on loan from Southampton in the summer, putting pen to paper on a season-long loan switch to Craven Cottage with a view to a permanent deal.

A regular in the first-half of the campaign under Scott Parker, Reed has featured only once in 2020, which came in a 2-1 home defeat to Reading on New Year's Day.

Ongoing calf problems have limited the midfielder to only 17 appearances this season, but the Saints loanee will be keen to make an impact once the EFL campaign eventually resumes.

Speaking to Fulham's official website, he said: "I'm raring to go now. In some ways it (the injury) was bad timing but it was also good because I could strengthen and make sure I was 110% ready to play and train.

"It's given me time to strengthen and get even better."

Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion are still alive as Scott Parker looks to guide his side to an immediate return to Premier League football.

The Cottagers sit third in the Sky Bet Championship table, only six points off West Bromwich Albion in second place ahead of the final nine games of the season.

The Verdict

Reed has been unlucky with injuries this season, but he should use that frustration as determination to play his best football and help Fulham get promoted this term.

Anything can happen in the latter stages of the season – it only takes two wins and two slip-ups from Leeds or West Brom and Fulham are well up there.

They have the big-game players and the individual talent that could make a difference in these final nine games.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/harrison-reed-sends-determined-message-as-fulham-gear-up-for-efl-return/

[WhiteJC]

Championship clubs are warned about players' personal hygiene and social distancing after positive coronavirus tests in the second tier increased to 10

    Championship clubs have been warned about hygiene and social distancing
    The latest round of coronavirus testing has produced ten positive results
    The EFL's medical advisor has written to clubs to press home health needs
    On Monday, all 24 clubs will vote whether to begin full contact training

Championship clubs have been warned to protect players' personal hygiene and maintain social distancing after 10 players and staff tested positive after the latest round of testing, The Telegraph report.

The message came from the English Football League as players from Fulham, Middlesbrough, Cardiff and Preston had confirmed cases of the virus.

The second tier are looking to follow the Premier League in resuming the 2019-20 season, but the increase in positive tests have caused concerns to grow over a possible delay to the restart of the season. 


The EFL has warned Championship clubs to maintain social distancing and personal hygiene


The second tier are looking to resume the season amid the coronavirus-inflicted halt of play

Dr Richard Higgins, the EFL's medical advisor, has written to all clubs to press home the need for players to respect social distancing rules and maintain their own hygiene.

'During the latest group of tests you will have seen that there has been a slight increase in positive results,' he wrote.

'This may just be coincidence, however, as government guidelines are relaxed, all players and staff must remain acutely aware of their responsibilities in regard to social distancing and personal hygiene.


The latest round of testing has produced ten positive test results among clubs in the division

At this stage we strongly advise everyone to maintain social distancing at all times other than during contact training sessions and most especially when outside of the training ground.

'Indoor environments such as shops are one of the higher risk places and so as advised previously, should be avoided.

'Until the infection rate drops significantly transmission will continue to occur frequently between people.'


All 24 clubs will meet on Monday to vote whether full contact training can commence

Further tests are set to go ahead this week and all 24 Championship clubs will vote on Monday whether to begin full contact training.

Preston forward Jayden Stockley has been named as one of the ten Championship players to have tested positive. 

The latest round of testing also produced seven positive tests from players from League Two clubs. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8374087/Coronavirus-UK-Championship-clubs-warned-players-personal-hygiene-social-distancing.html

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Fulham star reveals how European giants tried to tempt him from Craven Cottage

Ex-Fulham starlet and current Liverpool man Harvey Elliott has revealed how Real Madrid tried to tempt him from Craven Cottage before his 2019 move to Anfield.

The 17-year-old became Fulham's youngest ever first-team player when he featured for them in the EFL Cup in September 2018, aged just 15 years and 174 days.

Then just 30 days after his 16th birthday he became the youngest player to ever play in the Premier League, claiming the title from ex-Fulham player Matthew Briggs.

His arrival onto the scene made him hot property last summer. All of Liverpool, PSG and Real Madrid were monitoring the Fulham man, and the latter even invited him to the Bernabeu, and arranged a meeting with club-captain Sergio Ramos.

Though as told in The Athletic's report, Elliott turned down the chance to meet Ramos because of his acts in the 2018 Champions League final – Liverpool played Madrid in the final and eventually lost after Mo Salah was forced off with a dislocated shoulder.

Ramos appeared to drag Salah down by his arm, and intentionally injure him.

Elliott then signed for Liverpool last summer, and has since made a handful of appearances for the first-team. He looks a really talented player and one who Liverpool will be looking towards in the future.

The verdict

Fulham fans never saw enough of Elliott, but from what they and the rest of the world saw, they quickly knew that he was a special talent. Liverpool seems like a good place for Elliott to progress, and we could well see a lot more of him next season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/ex-fulham-star-reveals-how-european-giants-tried-to-tempt-him-from-craven-cottage/

[WhiteJC]

Championship season set to restart on 20 June as coronavirus lockdown eases

Leeds United have won each of their past five matches in the Championship

The Championship season is set to resume on 20 June, more than three months after it was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The EFL said the date was "provisional" and "subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance is met".

There are 108 matches remaining, plus the play-off semi-finals and final.

No Championship fixtures have been played since 8 March, with the campaign suspended five days later.

The EFL said it is aiming to complete the Championship season with the play-off final "on or around 30 July", adding that there would be ongoing discussions on proposals to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and increasing matchday squads from 18 to 20 players.

The announcement comes a day after the UK government gave the green light for domestic competitive sport to return, behind closed doors, from Monday.

Horse racing and snooker will each resume competitive action on Monday, while the Premier League is due to restart on 17 June.

"Following Saturday's announcement by the government to allow elite sporting events to return behind closed doors, the EFL has this weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Sky Bet Championship," an EFL statement read.

"After discussing various approaches and the importance of completing the season in a similar timeline to that of the Premier League to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated clubs, the Sky Bet Championship season is set to conclude with the Championship play-off final on or around 30 July 2020."

Players have been back in training since 25 May, initially while following social distancing guidelines, and full contact training will begin next week.

EFL chair Rick Parry said: "We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.

"Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time."

Parry added that the EFL was in talks about broadcasting the remaining 108 games and play-offs either live on Sky Sports or via streaming services.

Three rounds of coronavirus testing have been conducted to date across the 24 clubs in the second tier, with more than 1,000 tests carried out each time.

Two people at Hull City tested positive in the first round, while two unnamed Fulham players and Blackburn captain Elliott Bennett tested positive in the second round of results.

Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley was one of 10 positive Covid-19 tests across eight Championship clubs in the latest round of testing, revealed on Saturday.

When the season was paused, Leeds United were top of the table, one point clear of second-placed West Bromwich Albion.

Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End occupy the four play-off spots, while Barnsley, Luton Town and Charlton Athletic are in the relegation zone.
Timeline: How did we get to this point?

    8 March - Last games played in the Championship
    13 March - EFL suspended until at least 3 April
    19 March - Suspension extended until end of April
    26 March - All football below National League expunged
    22 April - National League clubs vote to end regular season
    15 May - League Two season ended, League One undecided
    25 May - Championship teams return to training



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52834579

[WhiteJC]

 Championship set to restart on weekend of June 20
Play-off final set to be played on or around July 30

The EFL has announced that the Championship will restart on the weekend of June 20, subject to all safety requirements and government guidelines being met.

The EFL is then planning to complete the season with the play-off final on or around July 30, due to the importance of completing the season in a similar timeline to that of the Premier League to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated clubs.

lt has also been agreed to consider changing the regulations to allow teams to use five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and field matchday squads of 20 players rather than 18.

The Premier League announced on Thursday that play is due to return on June 17, following the coronavirus suspension that began in mid-March.

In a statement on Sunday night, the EFL said: "Following Saturday's announcement by the government to allow elite sporting events to return behind closed doors, the EFL has this weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Sky Bet Championship.

"The date is subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance is met; and that clubs receive clearance from their local authorities in order to stage matches at their home grounds."

EFL chairman Rick Parry said: "With Sky Bet Championship Clubs set to return to full-contact training later this week and following Saturday's government announcement, we are edging closer towards resuming the 2019/20 EFL season.

"We have therefore today consulted with the Board's Championship Directors and agreed to fixtures restarting behind closed doors on June 20.

"Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a club's equivalent streaming service.

"We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.

"Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time."

Leeds and West Brom currently sit in the Championship's automatic promotion places, while Charlton, Luton and Barnsley are in the relegation places with nine matches apiece remaining.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/11998319/championship-set-to-restart-on-weekend-of-june-20

[WhiteJC]

EFL Statement: Coronavirus Update

Following Saturday's announcement by the Government to allow elite sporting events to return behind closed doors, the EFL has this weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Sky Bet Championship.

The date is subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and Government guidance is met; and that Clubs receive clearance from their local authorities in order to stage matches at their home grounds.

After discussing various approaches, and, the importance of completing the season in a similar timeline to that of the Premier League to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated Clubs, the Sky Bet Championship season is set to conclude with the Championship Play-Off Final on or around 30 July 2020. Final details are still to be confirmed following further discussions with the League's Broadcast partner, Sky Sports.

During the weekend's discussions it was further agreed to consider changing Regulations to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and, also increasing the matchday squad from 18 to 20 players. Discussions will continue with Championship clubs in this respect.

The fixture schedule, broadcast selections and details on iFollow/streaming services will follow in due course.

EFL Chair Rick Parry said: "With Sky Bet Championship clubs set to return to full contact training later this week and following Saturday's Government announcement, we are edging closer towards resuming the 2019/20 EFL season. We have therefore today consulted with the Board's Championship Directors and agreed to fixtures restarting behind closed doors on 20 June.

"Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship Clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a Club's equivalent streaming service.

"We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.

"Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need Clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/may/31/efl-statement-coronavirus-update

[WhiteJC]

Fulham handed massive promotion boost as EFL confirm planned Championship restart date

The Championship campaign is poised to return on June 20

Fulham's push for promotion back to the Premier League has been given the green light to be continued from Saturday, June 20, the EFL have confirmed.

After the Government confirmed on Saturday that all elite-level sporting events in England are allowed to resume from June 1 (tomorrow), the EFL has put plans in place for the Championship campaign to resume on June 20.

The date that has been set is subject to strict ruling and that all safety requirements and Government guidance has been met.

The EFL have also confirmed that, in line with the return of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, which will resume on June 17, the plan is to conclude the season by July 30, with the Championship Play-Off Final poised to be the season final.

Final details have yet to be confirmed following further discussions with Sky Sports - the Championship's broadcast partner.

During the weekend's discussions it was also agreed to consider changing Regulations to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and, also increasing the matchday squad from 18 to 20 players.

Discussions will continue with Championship Clubs in this respect.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said: "With Sky Bet Championship Clubs set to return to full contact training later this week and following Saturday's Government announcement, we are edging closer towards resuming the 2019/20 EFL season.

"We have therefore today consulted with the Board's Championship Directors and agreed to fixtures restarting behind closed doors on 20 June.

"Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship Clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a Club's equivalent streaming service.

"We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.

"Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need Clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time."



https://www.football.london/championship/breaking-championship-restart-efl-fulham-18340399

[WhiteJC]

'Finally some good news' – Plenty of Fulham fans react to Harrison Reed update

Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed has claimed that he is "raring to go" after recovering from a series of injury issues, which has drawn an interesting reaction from fans of the west London club.

The 25-year-old joined the Craven Cottage outfit from Southampton in a season-long loan deal on August transfer deadline day and has been a regular fixture in Scott Parker's side when fit.

Reed has featured 17 times for Fulham this term – helping them to climb to third in the Championship.

The west London side will be hoping to end their season with a flourish and secure Premier League promotion should the Championship return.

It appears Reed will be ready to play his part and, in an interview with the club website, the midfielder revealed that the delay had aided his recovery.

He said: "I think Brentford was probably the first game I was going to be back involved.  It was a frustrating one when we got the call to say it was cancelled.

"It was a long hard stretch for me to get back fit, it was a nasty injury really, worse than we first thought so like you said, the timing of it was bad for me but I'm raring to go."

"It was in some ways bad timing but also good because I could strengthen and make sure I was 110% ready to play and train. It's given me time to strengthen it up and get even better."

A product of the Southampton academy, Reed has featured 30 times in total for the South Coast club but appears to have fallen out of favour.

The 25-year-old has spent the past two seasons on loan with Championship clubs and has just one year left on his contract with the Saints, meaning they may look to cash in on him this summer.

Reed's comments appear to have caught the attention of Fulham fans, many of whom have taken to Twitter to voice their thoughts.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/finally-some-good-news-plenty-of-fulham-fans-react-to-harrison-reed-update/