Saturday Fulham Stuff - 06/06/20...

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'That will be going up in the Fulham dressing room' – Neil Warnock makes claim about Leeds United & West Brom: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Neil Warnock has claimed it is a two-horse race between Leeds United and West Brom for promotion to the Premier League. 

Leeds sit top of the pile with nine games remaining, whilst West Brom are a point behind them; the pair hold a handsome seven and six point advantage over third placed Fulham at this stage, with 27 points still on the table and the Cottagers still to face the pair.

Yet, Warnock told talkSPORT: "It's in a good position this year because I don't think there are a third team that's going to push them.

"I see them two as the best two."

On the back of the ex-Cardiff boss commenting on the promotion race, our writers discuss whether anyone can catch Leeds and West Brom...

Sam Rourke 

Fulham are still in the mix, there is no denying that – but ultimately, I can't see anyone overtaking Leeds or West Brom for the top two spots.

The Whites and the Baggies have quite simply been the two best teams in the Championship this season, and deserve to secure promotion to the Premier League.

With six points between Fulham and West Brom in second, there is still room for Scott Parker's side to make an assault on the second spot, but I just haven't been impressed with the consistency of Fulham, who seem to look superb one week, then relatively average the next.

You are guaranteed consistency with Leeds and West Brom and I just can't see them losing too much between now and the end of the 19/20 campaign.

Had Brentford notched a few more points up until now I'd have backed them to make a real case for the top two, but 10 points is too big of a gap with just nine games to play.

George Dagless

I think he's right.

Fulham are the only side I'd consider capable enough of getting into the top two but I just think they're a level below in terms of consistency and that lets them down given the quality in their squad.

Both Leeds and West Brom have been a class above this season and even when they both suffered blips around the same time, the sides below never really capitalised and the gap grew once again.

For me, if the two do not go up now it'll because they've thrown it away, not because another side has been irresistibly good, but I can't really see either letting this slip now.

George Harbey 

I don't think Leeds and West Brom should rest on their laurels just yet as the race for automatic promotion isn't over just yet.

Teams haven't played football for a long, long time, and it only takes a couple of wins for Fulham and a couple of defeats for Leeds or West Brom and then the gap is effectively nothing, so the top-two cannot afford to slip up once the EFL action resumes.

I don't think you can rule out Fulham's chances of breaking into the top-two, either. You can argue that they haven't really performed to their standards this season, but they have the individuals and the experience to manage the big occasion, and the pressure isn't on them as much as they are the chasers.

It promises to be an enthralling end to the season, that's for sure.

Alfie Burns 

That will be going up in the Fulham dressing room.

Leeds and West Brom have a great lead and with nine games of the season remaining, everything is in their hands. However, you've got to take into account that Fulham still have to play both sides.

Granted, Scott Parker's side have got to play Brentford and Nottingham Forest as well, but taking six points off the top-two isn't out of the question and that would set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Obviously, Leeds and West Brom have it all to lose from here, but Fulham have talented individuals and they'll be determined to do what they always do and come good at the end of the season.

Things could look completely different this time next month.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/that-will-be-going-up-in-the-fulham-dressing-room-neil-warnock-makes-claim-about-leeds-united-west-brom-the-verdict/

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Why Barnsley will face battle to keep hold of former Fulham striker this summer

Cauley Woodrow has been a shining light for Barnsley during a tough season.

The ex-England Under-21 international could be a man in-demand this summer after an impressive campaign for the side currently bottom of the Championship table.

Woodrow, who is 25 years old, has scored 15 goals in 33 games in all competitions for the Tykes this term and they are likely to face a battle to retain his services this summer.

Gerhard Struber's side face a tough ask in staying up when the season resumes this month and it is unlikely that Woodrow will fancy staying in League One again if they do go down.

A saving grace for Barnsley is the fact his contract at Oakwell still has two more years left on it meaning if someone wants to sign him over the coming months, they will have to fork out some money.

Woodrow bagged 19 goals in all competitions last season to help the Tykes win promotion from the third tier under Daniel Stendel.

He started out at Luton Town but was snapped up by Fulham in 2011 and went onto play 66 times for the London side, chipping in with 12 goals. The forward also spent time away from Craven Cottage on loan at Southend United, Burton Albion and Bristol City.

Woodrow has been a real hit in South Yorkshire since his permanent move up north two years ago. However, Barnsley may have to survive in the Championship this season to stand a chance of seeing off interest in him this summer.



https://the72.co.uk/170761/why-barnsley-will-face-battle-to-keep-hold-of-former-fulham-striker-this-summer/

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Championship clubs alarmed by June 20 restart date as positive tests stack up, League One split over resumption and relegation rows in League Two (as National League leaders Barrow wait on tenterhooks)... the situation in the EFL ahead of next week's votes

    EFL is set to hold a crucial Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday next week
    Clubs will be asked to consider different ways of completing the season
    Championship clubs are in favour of playing the remaining 108 fixtures
    But some have spoken out against 'provisional' June 20 resumption date
    League One clubs are split over whether to try and play out rest of the campaign
    League Two looks likely to decide final table on PPG but relegation is an issue

English football is set to jolt back into life following a three-month shutdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic with the Premier League due to resume on June 17.

Detailed plans to complete the remaining 92 top-flight matches behind closed doors have been drawn up and television schedules for the first three weeks back published.

But while the Premier League are firmly on course for a much-anticipated restart, the scenario is far more complicated in the EFL.


Leeds United are leading the way in the Championship ahead of a crucial week in deciding whether the EFL season will resume

The situation in the Championship is in contrast to that in League Two, while League One is completely split over how best to complete the season.

Sportsmail takes a closer look at the latest situation in the EFL's three divisions.

CHAMPIONSHIP

The EFL last weekend announced a 'provisional' restart date of June 20 for the Championship season, where 108 matches have yet to be completed, plus the end-of-season play-offs.

The last Championship fixture completed was Derby County's 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers back on March 8, with the EFL shut down five days later.

The resumption date is in line with the Premier League's return to action, with the EFL aiming to complete the season with the play-off final 'on or around 30 July.'

The timeframe for completing the Championship season is roughly aligned with the Premier League, facilitating promotion and relegation to happen as normal.


Chris Martin scored in Derby's 3-0 win over Blackburn - the last Championship match played

Championship clubs returned to non-contact training at the end of May and have now stepped that up to contact training, adhering to Government advice, but several hurdles still need to be overcome.

Firstly, some second-tier clubs were left stunned by the announcement of a restart date.

Queens Park Rangers chief executive Lee Hoos, for example, said he was 'appalled by' and 'vehemently opposed to' the June 20 resumption, adding there had been 'absolutely no consultation' with clubs on the matter.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton echoed these views, telling Sportsmail this week the club were 'staggered by the announcement', adding: 'We'd just told the players it would be June 27 at the earliest.'


Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton has spoken out against the June 20 restart

Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk made the point that Championship clubs were a week behind the Premier League in returning to training and so it was 'unfair' to start playing again on the same weekend.

The EFL responded by saying the date was named after 'a number of direct approaches from Championship clubs seeking clarity' and said there is 'significant support' within the division for a restart as soon as it's safe to do so.

In contrast to QPR, other clubs welcomed the announcement, with Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate saying that June 20 was the date they were working towards anyway.

Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton proclaimed himself 'really pleased' with the return plans, adding his players 'look in great shape and are eager and keen to play.'


Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate is eager to get the season going again this month

So while there are differences in opinion over the restart date, at least clubs now have something to work towards.

A bigger issue may prove to be the number of positive Covid-19 tests being returned.

Nine people at six Championship clubs returned positive results in the latest round of 1,094 tests, with Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town affected.

And, as Sportsmail revealed, at least one individual tested positive at Championship leaders Leeds United. This was the first positive test at the Elland Road club in four rounds of testing.

In all, there have been 24 positive cases so far with nine clubs known to have been affected.


West Brom and Leeds are on course for automatic promotion if the season can restart

Much will depend on the next set of results as these will be the first returned since clubs returned since all clubs returned to contact training.

A large number of positive returns could easily derail the planned return in just over a couple of weeks' time.

As it stands, Leeds are top by one point from West Bromwich Albion, who then have a six-point cushion to Fulham in third.

As things stand, Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End would contest the play-offs but the likes of Bristol City, Millwall, Cardiff City, Blackburn and Swansea would fancy their chances of cracking the top six.

Barnsley, Luton Town and Charlton Athletic currently occupy the relegation places.


Fulham look likely to be one of the teams competing in the Championship play-offs

LEAGUE ONE

The most complicated picture is in League One, where there is a split between clubs that wish to try and play the remaining fixtures and those who want to curtail the season now and decide the table on points-per-game (PPG).

The clubs are due to vote on how to proceed on Tuesday next week and Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart believes 'about 15 clubs (out of 23) would vote against carrying on.'

Last month, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony released a statement saying that Posh, Oxford United, Sunderland, Fleetwood Town, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town are in favour of playing out the season.


Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony (left) is in favour of playing out the season

It comes as little surprise that these clubs still retain a shot at automatic promotion to the Championship or sit just outside the play-off positions.

However, 12 clubs (or 51 per cent) would need to vote in favour of restarting the season for the motion to be passed and that looks unlikely.

As Stewart said: 'I don't think for one minute the team that is fourth bottom, just out of the relegation positions, is going to want to continue and the team right up to 10th will feel the same.'

That's because the final league standings would likely be decided on a points-per-game system and for the majority, very little would change from the present rankings.


Sunderland face the prospect of a third season in League One if the season is curtailed

Then there is the cost of restarting the season, especially as a number of clubs in the division have furloughed staff to save money given their budgets rely heavily on matchday income that wouldn't come in with fans absent.

Brian Caldwell, the Shrewsbury Town chief executive, told the Price of Football podcast it would cost the club around £500,000 if the season were to resume, taking into account taking staff off furlough schemes and testing kits.

One club with plenty to lose from a PPG scenario are Tranmere Rovers, who sit third bottom and would be relegated by just 0.06 of a point.

Their chairman Mark Palios has argued that Tranmere have a game in hand on AFC Wimbledon just above them and had won three matches in a row before the suspension of the season.

Palios wants the PPG system to be modified to take into account 'the statistical average actual margin for error over the last three years'. Tranmere avoid relegation under this method.

The proposal also features an eight-team play-off and sees just two teams - Southend and Bolton Wanderers - relegated with League One set to have 25 teams next season.

It has unsurprisingly won favour from Peterborough, who would drop out of the play-off places if ordinary PPG is applied.

This plan will be on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting with clubs set to discuss and make a decision, but, as Sportsmail reported, Tranmere are increasingly resigned to their fate.

If the season is ended with ordinary PPG applied, Coventry and Rotherham would earn automatic promotion to the Championship, with Wycombe, Oxford, Portsmouth and Fleetwood in the play-offs, which would still be contested.

The sides due to compete in the play-offs would return to training next week after a round of testing.


Portsmouth would be among the four teams competing in the League One play-offs

LEAGUE TWO

A clearer picture has emerged in League Two, with a majority of clubs in favour of bringing the season to an end and decide the final table on an unweighted PPG formula.

This would mean automatic promotion for Crewe Alexandra, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle.

The play-offs would be played as normal, with Exeter City, Colchester United, Cheltenham Town and Northampton Town fighting it out for a place in League One next season.


Crewe Alexandra would be on their way back to League One if the season is ended now

Indeed, Colchester are following the example of German Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach by inviting fans to have a cut-out of their face attached to a seat for the play-off games.

However, despite the unanimity in League Two over ending the season, an argument is likely over the relegation situation. The EFL's 'recommended framework' would include relegation as normal.

As it stands, Stevenage would drop into the National League but their chairman Phil Wallace has challenged the decision to include relegation.

'There is absolutely no integrity whatsoever in using a mathematical formula to expel a club from the EFL. That is unjust and wholly wrong,' he said last month.

However, to further complicate the picture, Macclesfield Town, who sit three points above Stevenage in the League Two table, have been charged with misconduct by the EFL for failing to pay wages.

Macclesfield have already seen 11 points deducted this season for the same reason and a further such punishment could see them drop into the National League instead of Stevenage.

Again, a decision on how League Two is concluded is set to be taken at Tuesday's EFL Extraordinary General Meeting.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

As the EFL decides how to finish their seasons, clubs in the National League have been waiting on tenterhooks.

The National League clubs voted in favour of ending their season back in April but have been waiting on outcomes in the EFL before making a call on how the final table looks like.

The top non-league division is keen to retain its two promotion places into the EFL, which ordinarily involve one team going up automatically and six others competing in play-offs for the other spot.


Barrow have endured an agonising wait to see if they'll win promotion to the Football League

Barrow are currently four points clear at the top but the Cumbrian side have endured an agonising wait to see if they can return to the Football League after 48 years away.

Their manager Ian Evatt told Sportsmail: 'So much has gone into this season and to possibly have it taken away would devastate this club and the town.'

With Bury's demise, it is possible that Barrow could be elevated into the EFL anyway to make up the numbers even if there's no relegation from League Two.

But the wait has been agonising for a team that has led the way for the majority of the campaign and the possibility of a null and void season lingers.

However, in a letter sent to their member clubs this week, National League chief executive Michael Tattersall confirmed 'the EFL remain supportive of maintaining promotion and relegation.'

He also raised the possibility of play-offs still going ahead as in League One and League Two. Notts County are still training in readiness for play-offs taking place.

For their part, the EFL said the bottom club in League Two would only be relegated if there were 'assurances that the National League will start the 2020-21 season - i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play.'

But Dagenham and Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson has expressed concerns 'it may not be until September or October or even later before we are allowed to resume.'

That's because crowds are the lifeblood of clubs at this level and many in the National League are reluctant to play again without fans being permitted into the ground.

When the EFL make their decisions on Tuesday next week, we can expect the National League to finally make their call on how to end the season. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8391467/Coronavirus-Situation-EFL-restarting-season-ahead-crunch-vote.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham FC have released a branded face covering, with 100% of proceeds from product sales being donated to the Fulham FC Foundation.

Available to pre-order now for dispatch from Thursday 25th June, the reusable garment is available in both adult and junior sizes.

By purchasing a FFC face covering you will help Fulham FC Foundation, who have focused their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the most vulnerable members in our community. Initiatives have included providing meals to those in the local community, supporting more than 1,100 vulnerable people through a telephone befriending service, as well as delivering over 100 hours of online learning/support through their health, disability and inclusion programmes. Many more people will be in need of support for months to come.
Pre-Order Now

T&Cs

. All of our face coverings are for personal use. They are not suitable for hospital / medical use.  For hygiene reasons, this item is not eligible for refund or exchange.

. All profits from this item will be donated to the Fulham Foundation to support its fantastic work in the community.

. PRE ORDER ONLY - DESPATCHED FROM 25/06/20. ORDERS CONTAINING ADDITIONAL ITEMS WILL ONLY BE DESPATCHED AFTER 25/06/20.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/05/ffc-face-coverings-available-for-pre-order

[WhiteJC]

 Sky Sports to show 30 games as Championship restarts on June 20
Sky Sports to show 30 of 108 remaining Sky Bet Championship fixtures, a live goals show for every matchday, plus exclusive coverage of all 15 EFL play-off games across the three divisions

Sky Sports will show 30 Sky Bet Championship games as well as exclusive broadcasting of all 15 EFL play-off games, when the season restarts on June 20.

    30 live games will be broadcast on Sky Sports across the rest of the Sky Bet Championship season
    Club season ticket holders will be given access to all Sky Sports live games involving their team through the iFollow online platform
    Sky Sports will broadcast the 15 EFL play-off games across the Championship, League One and League Two

The Sky Bet Championship will provisionally restart on June 20 with Sky Sports showing 30 games, and the first round of broadcast selections to be announced next week.

Season ticket holders will be able to watch any live game involving their club via the EFL's iFollow online platform. They will also be given access to their teams' non-broadcast games, while non-season ticket holders will be able to purchase non-broadcast games for £10.

Fans can also make sure they are across all the action by tuning into a new a Sky Sports' 'goals as they go in' show for non-broadcast fixtures.

Sky Sports will also broadcast the 15 games from the semi-finals and finals of the EFL play-offs across the three divisions.

When will the games take place? And when will they be confirmed?
The broadcast selections made prior to the season suspension will now not apply, and Sky Sports will start this process from scratch with first selections expected to be available early next week.

Unless otherwise agreed, games are set to kick-off at the following times:

    On Saturday at 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm
    On Sunday at 12pm
    On Tuesday and Wednesday at 5pm, 6pm and 8pm
    On Friday at 6pm and 8pm

The last match of the regular season is set to take place being on the midweek of 21 and 22 July with the Championship play-off final on either Sunday 2 or Monday August 3.

What's being said about the announcement
Sky Sports managing director Robert Webster said: "The partnership between Sky Sports and the EFL supports clubs and their communities across the country. We are pleased to have reached a solution which works for them; and appreciate the positive and collaborative spirit of the negotiations.

"The availability for existing season ticket holders to stream matches from their club platform will compliment Sky Sports in telling the complete story of the climax to season."

The EFL chairman, Rick Parry, added: "I would firstly like to thank the team at Sky Sports for their patience and support whilst we have worked through some of the complex issues surrounding our agreement that have arisen as a result of live sport being unable to take place due to the current crisis.

"There is no question that COVID-19 has detrimentally affected all industries and, whilst we have only ever wanted to return when it is safe to do, we have always understood that when we did, we had to balance the requirements of our broadcast partners with the unique and challenging financial circumstances that our clubs face.

"We are delighted to have reached such an agreeable and sensible arrangement that ensures the financial impact to clubs is minimised, Sky Sports are able to get their football business back up with one of the most eagerly anticipated Championship run-ins in years and, importantly, fans get access to games during a period where guidelines prevent them from attending in person."

Where could Championship clubs finish?
With the Sky Bet Championship set to return on June 20, how high or low could your club finish in the league this season?

Data guru Ben Mayhew has simulated every possible result from the remaining games and calculated each club's range of possible final league positions - in addition to probabilities for each standing.

The results reveal it's all to play for in the race for promotion and the battle for survival...



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12000470/sky-sports-to-show-30-games-as-championship-restarts-on-june-20

[WhiteJC]

 The Championship: End of season and play-off final dates confirmed
Sky Sports to show 30 live Championship games after the 2019/20 season restarts on June 20; access available to all Season Ticket holders via iFollow

The EFL has announced that the final round of Sky Bet Championship fixtures are scheduled to take place on the midweek of July 21 and 22.

The division has been suspended since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the last fixture having taken place on Sunday March 8, when Derby beat Barnsley 3-0 at Pride Park.

Plans have been revealed for the second tier to return on Saturday June 20, in line with the Premier League's first weekend, and while the full rescheduled fixture list is yet to be released, provisional dates have now been provided.

Following consultation with EFL Championship clubs this week the season will commence with match 38, with match 39 taking place on Saturday June 27. This will result in the last match of the regular season being on the midweek of July 21 and 22, with the Championship play-off final on either Sunday August 2 or Monday August 3.

Sky Sports will show 30 of the 108 remaining Sky Bet Championship fixtures, a live goals show for every matchday, plus exclusive coverage of all 15 EFL play-off games across all three divisions.

The fixture schedule is in the process of being finalised, alongside the revised broadcast selections, and unless otherwise agreed, games are set to kick-off at the following times:

    On Saturday at 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm
    On Sunday at 12pm
    On Tuesday and Wednesday at 5pm, 6pm and 8pm
    On Friday at 6pm and 8pm



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12001185/when-will-the-championship-season-finish

[WhiteJC]

Championship: Season-ticket holders can watch all of team's remaining games online

Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion were first and second when the Championship season was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic

Season-ticket holders at Championship clubs will be able to watch their team's remaining regular-season games online, the EFL has announced.

Access, via the iFollow service, will be determined by the club with which the supporter holds the season ticket.

It "may be in lieu of a refund or part of a wider package as determined by each individual club".

The arrangement includes any of the 30 regular-season games involving their club being shown by Sky Sports.

None of the remaining 108 games will be shown on free-to-air television, while watching a stream of an individual Championship fixture via iFollow will cost a non-season ticket holder £10.

The EFL has also announced further details about its provisional schedule, with the season set to resume on 20 June "subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance are met".

Once the Championship season restarts, the first two rounds of action will take place on the weekends of 20-21 and 27-28 June, with no midweek round of fixtures in the first week after the resumption.

The final games of the regular campaign are scheduled for 21-22 July, with the play-off final planned for either Sunday 2 August or Monday 3 August.

The fixture schedule is in the process of being finalised by the EFL, but games will take place over six time slots from Friday to Sunday, and three slots on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for midweek rounds.

Games will kick off at 18:00 and 20:00 on Fridays, 12:30, 15:00 and 17:30 on Saturdays and 12:00 on Sundays (all times BST).

Midweek matches will start at 17:00, 18:00 and 20:00.

'An agreeable and sensible arrangement'
EFL chairman Rick Parry said he was "delighted that "an agreeable and sensible arrangement" had been reached, which "ensures the financial impact to clubs is minimised".

"There is no question that Covid-19 has detrimentally affected all industries," he added in a statement.

"While we have only ever wanted to return when it is safe to do, we have always understood that when we did, we had to balance the requirements of our broadcast partners with the unique and challenging financial circumstances that our clubs face.

"Importantly, fans get access to games during a period where guidelines prevent them from attending in person."

Sky Sports will televise all 15 play-off matches across the three EFL divisions.

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

Clubs returned to non-contact training on 25 May and have since been able to move on to the next phase of contact training.

Sunday's announcement about a provisional restart date which led to criticism from some second-tier clubs, including QPR, who wanted more time for players to prepare for a resumption.

Players and staff are being regularly tested for coronavirus, and there were nine positive tests from six clubs in the latest round of results which were announced on Wednesday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52940391