Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 23/06/20...

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'Brains not back up to full speed' - How the national press reacted to Leeds United's defeat

Marcelo Bielsa's side returned to action with a 2-0 defeat in Cardiff

After 106 days of waiting, Leeds United's return to Championship action ended in disappointment on Sunday afternoon, as Marcelo Bielsa's men slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City.

Errors from Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper either side of half time allowed Junior Hoilett and Robert Glatzel handed the Bluebirds the points as Leeds squandered the chance to return to the top of the table and open up a ten-point gap to third.

Instead, the buffer to Fulham remains seven points, with Scott Parker's side due to visit Elland Road on Saturday in another huge early test in this season restart.

The match was played behind-closed-doors at the Cardiff City Stadium, with limited amount of press permitted to attend, but those that did had plenty to say about the Whites' latest defeat.

Here's a look at what the national media made of the 2-0 defeat.

'The brain not back up to full speed'

In the Daily Mail, Adam Shergold focuses on how the break influenced Sunday's match.

"One day, sports scientists will study with fascination the impact - both mentally and physically - of this unexpected three-month mid-season pause on footballers and their teams.

"One case study could be to explain the brain freezes suffered by Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper in making the wrong choice of pass to gift Cardiff City their two goals here.

"A symptom of lost match sharpness, perhaps, the brain not back up to full speed.

"What is certain is that Leeds United had the momentum of a runaway express train before the season came to a standstill. But now it has vanished. Those five consecutive wins back in February and March that pointed towards a promotion procession seem a long time ago now.

"Marcelo Bielsa's team should be fine - their gap to third-placed Fulham remains seven points. But Leeds' form this season has been capricious and, if Fulham win at Elland Road on Saturday, things could get interesting."

'An implosion is required if Leeds are to relinquish their grip'

As some Leeds fans fear another collapse, Ben Fisher in the Guardian offers some perspective - but also acknowldges how important Saturday's clash against Fulham will be.

"Just like that, Fulham's trip to Elland Road next Saturday has quadrupled in significance. Marcelo Bielsa frenetically rubbed his hands together in the dugout but he could not conjure a comeback as Leeds United returned from the enforced break with a bump.

"In the end Bielsa, for so long head bowed, arms folded, was roaring his players on with great urgency but ultimately left to bemoan errors by two of his most consistent performers and the ruthlessness of a dogged Cardiff side, who prospered from their only shots on target courtesy of brilliant strikes by Junior Hoilett and Robert Glatzel.

"Cardiff were difficult to break down and, when Leeds did carve an opening, Patrick Bamford inadvertently blocked Jack Harrison's goal-bound shot in front of Alex Smithies, who later saved superbly to prevent Tyler Roberts prodding in from close range.

"As Bielsa acknowledged, this was a golden opportunity missed but results 24 hours earlier provided scant consolation, with Fulham's defeat to Brentford and West Bromwich Albion's draw ensuring an implosion is required if Leeds are to relinquish their grip. As for Cardiff, they are quietly going about their business under Neil Harris and victory hoists them to seventh, firmly in the play-off conversation.

"The niggling accusations of Bielsa's sides running out of steam will inevitably be levelled at Leeds before they welcome third-placed Fulham but victory would surely go a long way to exorcising any demons in their attempt to return to the top flight after a 16-year hiatus.

"For hardy Leeds supporters it does not even bear thinking about but, in the event Fulham yield victory in Yorkshire, the gap will narrow to four points with seven games to play. Before then, fourth-placed Brentford host West Brom on Friday in search of successive wins and determined to make what once seemed a procession at the summit anything but. Leeds' grasp does not feel quite so secure."

'The fear for Leeds is that it could be happening again'

We get an insight into how the quiet stadium felt from Tom Roddy in The Times.

"As Leeds United drove forward in the final minutes, in a desperate attempt to salvage the game with wave after wave of attack, Marcelo Bielsa's booming voice echoed around an empty Cardiff City Stadium. "Again, again, again!" he demanded. The fear for Leeds is that it could, indeed, be happening again.

"A repeat of last season's promotion collapse appeared to have been avoided when Bielsa's team went into lockdown three months ago, on the back of five successive wins. Their winter wobble was forgotten but may well be resurfacing this summer."

'A familiar lack of big-match mentality'

Neil McLeman in the Daily Mirror hones in on familiar big-match failings for Leeds.

"Leeds recorded five straight wins without conceding a goal to head the Championship going into the lockdown.

"But after 106 days away, Marcelo Bielsa's side returned to action deprived of that momentum.

"Victory at the City of Cardiff Stadium would have lifted Leeds 10 points clear of third-place Fulham with only eight games to go.

"Instead, the Yorkshire club showed a familiar lack of big-match mentality and carelessness to allow Cardiff to score with their only two shots on target."

'Leeds will pray this does not precipitate a poor and costly run'

In the Daily Telegraph, James Corrigan talks up the Bluebirds' role as Leeds' bogey team.

"Perhaps Leeds fans have not yet reached the stage where they whisper of "the Cardiff Curse", but if this promotion race goes the same way as last year's, be sure that the Welsh capital will figure large in the inquiry, as well as the grisly folklore.

"This was a chance for Marcelo Bielsa's men to go back to the top of the Championship and 10 points clear of third. Yet two individual blunders and two quality Cardiff strikes meant they remain second.

""It was a good opportunity for us, but we couldn't take advantage of it," said Bielsa. "We could have won, should have won. We created enough good chances."

"Cardiff might raise an eyebrow at that statement as they climbed to seventh in the table. Leeds will simply pray this does not precipitate a poor and costly run with a return to the Premier League beckoning after a 16-year absence. Yet even in this season, never mind campaigns of yore, there are worrying Cardiff portents to ponder."

'Something we can rely on in these uncertain times'

More talk of Leeds' 'bottling' it in the Sun, as Ben Hunt writes:

"Leeds wobbling when it comes to the crunch part of the season — at last something we can rely on in these uncertain times.

"Marcelo Bielsa's side should be planning for their assault on the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

"But they are now starting to sweat about a top-flight return having missed out on promotion in previous seasons after faltering late on.

"There might still be a seven-point gap to third, but there are now worries at Elland Road that they could bottle it again after this defeat to Cardiff."



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/brains-not-back-up-full-18463895

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Man of the Match Result

Harrison Reed has won the weekend's Man of the Match vote by an absolute landslide.

The midfielder's performance was a real positive from what ultimately proved to be a frustrating return to football for Fulham, with a mammoth 83.9 per cent of fans giving him their vote.

It was Reed's first competitive match in almost half a year, with his previous appearance coming on New Year's Day.

He managed to last 80 minutes of the West London derby, and during that time he demonstrated just what he offers to the side, breaking up opposition attacks and linking the play for his own side.

The five tackles and four interceptions he made prove his defensive value, while at the other end of the pitch he almost set up an opening goal for the Whites when his cute through pass sent Bobby Decordova-Reid in. Unfortunately, his teammate's powerful effort came back off the angle of post and bar.

Only Tim Ream and Joe Bryan (both 77) had more touches of the ball than Reed's 70, while he also boasted a pass success rate of 93 per cent.

Nobody came close to him in the fan vote, with Aleksandar Mitrović some way off in second with 3.1 per cent, and Anthony Knockaert third with 2.2.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/22/man-of-the-match-result

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Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez in contention for Fulham test

Pablo Hernandez could be fit for Leeds United's crunch clash with Fulham this Saturday, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

The midfielder was a notable absentee during Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City in South Wales.

That was due to a small knock that he picked up during preparations for the Championship's return.

Hernandez was a big miss for Marcelo Bielsa's side against the Bluebirds, but according to Hay, he's expected to return to training in time for the promotion six-pointer with Fulham at Elland Road.

Writing for The Athletic, Hay said: "They're telling us he'll be back training this week - so ideally involved against Fulham.

"Sometimes it's easy to under-estimate the sheer quality of his passing and vision.

"It makes a difference so often.

"You almost take him for granted because he's so gifted."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

A Pablo Hernandez return would be absolutely massive for Leeds United.

The clash with Fulham looks like it's going to be the most important game of the Whites' season and will go a long way to deciding if they will secure automatic promotion.

Victory will put Marcelo Bielsa's side 10 points clear of the Cottagers - a gap which will be difficult to bridge.

Hernandez is the man that makes Leeds United tick, and so if he was to return it would be massive.

Even if he could only last 60 minutes, it could still be difference on an afternoon where a win wold be huge.



https://www.givemesport.com/1576313-leeds-uniteds-pablo-hernandez-in-contention-for-fulham-test?autoplay=on

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Leeds United could face further blow with injury concerns over Tyler Roberts

Leeds United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City on Sunday but despite the disappointment of the loss they at least had other results going their way with West Bromwich Albion failing to win and Fulham losing to Brentford.

However, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has revealed further concerns for Leeds regarding a possible injury to versatile forward Tyler Roberts.

With second choice striker Jean-Kevin Augustin struggling with a hamstring injury, this leaves the Whites with no real back-up to Patrick Bamford.

Roberts replaced Spaniard Pablo Hernandez who was ruled out through injury, with him expecting to be back in time for the game against promotion rivals Fulham.

However, Roberts has proven himself to be a key player for Leeds at times this season and he is a very good option to have for Marcelo Bielsa, not least for his ability to play in several positions.

On Sunday, it was noticed by journalist Hay as well as by some Leeds supporters that Roberts kept holding his groin at times throughout the match, as well as suffering with cramp towards the end of the game.

Due to the lengthy three-month break, most players will be more susceptible to muscle injuries and with Roberts' poor injury record since his arrival at Elland Road, should he indeed be suffering with another issue, this could pose problems for manager Marcelo Bielsa.

An option for the Argentine would be young striker Ryan Edmondson, but to launch him into the first-team reckoning at such a crucial stage of the season could be too much pressure for someone with very little experience.

Hopefully, any injury to Roberts will be minor, as any further depletions to the squad could prove to be a real problem for Leeds during the run-in.



https://the72.co.uk/174559/leeds-united-could-face-further-blow-with-injury-concerns-over-tyler-roberts/

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Reed extends Fulham loan

Midfielder Harrison Reed is continuing his loan spell at London-based side Fulham, the club can confirm, following the resumption of the 2019/20 Championship season last weekend.

Reed has made 18 appearances for Scott Parker's side this season, and featured in their return to action against Brentford on Saturday - losing out 2-0.

The 25-year-old will remain at Fulham as they close out their 2019/20 campaign, in a bid for an immediate return to Premier League football - they currently sit third in the table.



https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-06-22/loan-harrison-reed-extension-fulham-southampton

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Talking Points: Brentford

After a 100+ day hiatus, there was plenty to discuss after Fulham and Brentford got the Championship back up and running on Saturday.

1. Fine margins

Games can often hinge on big moments and it proved the case again on Saturday. Fulham are unbeaten this season when scoring first, and one would like to think we could have seen the match out if a chance had been taken. Bobby De Cordova-Reid hitting the woodwork, a disallowed Aleksandar Mitrović goal, and a worldie save from the Brentford goalkeeper all spring to mind, but a failure to make the breakthrough presented the visitors with the opportunity for a suckerpunch at the death.

2. Strange atmosphere

Various backroom teams at Fulham have worked relentlessly over the last few weeks to make Craven Cottage a safe environment to work in, so naturally it was a very different experience working the match. One-way systems were in place throughout, with press spread out along the entire length of the Johnny Haynes stand. An absence of fans also meant you could hear every kick, as well as much of what the players and coaching staff were shouting.

3. Top three slipping

The Championship's top three only managed to claim one point between them at the weekend, with Fulham taking solace in the fact that Leeds United were beaten 2-0 in Cardiff after West Bromwich Albion had been held to a goalless draw by Midlands neighbours Birmingham City. It sets things up very interestingly indeed for this week's fixtures, as we travel to Elland Road and West Brom take on Brentford.

4. Jasper's league debut

After making his senior debut in the FA Cup earlier in the season, Sylvester Jasper was given his league wings on Saturday when he replaced Anthony Knockaert soon after Brentford had gone in front. It's hard to influence the match in such a short space of time, but the 18-year-old still managed to win possession twice and embark on two successful dribbles in his brief cameo.

5. Important statements

Before a ball was kicked, both sides recognised two important facets in today's society. Firstly, a period of applause was dished out to thank the NHS for all their work during lockdown, without which we almost certainly wouldn't have had a football match to play at all. And then, just prior to kick-off, all 22 players took a knee to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/22/talking-points-brentford

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'Unbelievable' – Jim White & Danny Murphy deliver Leeds promotion verdict after weekend results

Jim White has said the Championship is "so tight it's unbelievable" but both he and talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy believe that Leeds United will go on and secure promotion.

Leeds lost 2-0 to Cardiff on Sunday and dropped to second in the table on goal difference after West Brom got a point from a 0-0 draw with Birmingham.

Fulham lost to Brentford and are still seven points back. Brentford are one point behind Fulham.

Talking on the White & Sawyer Show (talkSPORT, Monday, 11am) White said, "The Championship is so tight it's unbelievable... I think the Championship is going to be more exciting than the Premier League for the rest of the season."

Turning to Murphy, White said, "Who do you think will go up with Leeds and West Brom?"

"Wait a minute," Murphy said.

"Do you not think Leeds and West Brom are going up automatically?" White asked.

"I do," replied Murphy. "I don't want it to be, I'd rather it be Leeds and Fulham. Leeds, the supporters are incredible. I think Leeds and West Brom will get over the line. If Brentford play like they did against Fulham they've got a great chance in the play-offs."

Murphy went on to talk about the massive games coming up this weekend when the top four play each other.

He said that if Leeds and West Brom beat Fulham and Brentford respectively, they will be home and hosed.

"It's a massive game for Leeds," Murphy said. "I think if Leeds and West Brom win their games against Fulham and Brentford then I don't think anyone can stop them."

Leeds have been getting Elland Road ready for the blockbuster game on Saturday.

They've been testing crowd noises over the past few days, which sounds strange during the day when you know no one's there.

Hopefully, the familiar chants and songs will spur Leeds on – it was definitely weird to hear the players' voices rattling around the empty stadium in Wales on Sunday.

We think a win will be enough to knock Fulham out of the race – and then we'd be looking to West Brom, although we'd take a draw or a Baggies win in that one.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/unbelievable-jim-white-danny-murphy-deliver-leeds-promotion-verdicts-after-weekend-results/

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Fulham hold option to keep 2016 signing for another year

Fulham hold an option to extend Denis Odoi's contract at the club by a further 12 months, as detailed on their official club website last summer.

The experienced defender's current deal expires at the end of the month but the Championship promotion hopefuls can keep him for another season if they want to.

Odoi, who is 32 years old, joined the London side in 2016 and has since played over 100 games for them.

He adds more options and depth into their defensive department and is a useful player for Scott Parker to have in his squad. The full-back also has experience of gaining promotion having helped the club go up in 2018 under Slavisa Jokanovic.

Fulham are currently 3rd in the league and seven points off the automatic promotion places after their 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford on Saturday.

Odoi will play a key part in their push for an immediate return to the top flight this summer ahead of potentially staying for a fifth season next term.

The once-capped Belgium international had spent his whole career to date in his native country before moving to Craven Cottage, having previously played for the likes of OH Leuven, Sint Truiden, Anderlecht and Lokeren.

At the age of 32, Odoi could still have another few years ahead of him in the game and keeping him at Fulham for another season would be a boost for Parker's side.

His contract situation is one to keep an eye on for Fulham fans.



https://the72.co.uk/174640/fulham-hold-option-to-keep-2016-signing-for-another-year/

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Kalvin Phillips breaks his silence on Leeds United mistakes with Fulham message

Whites lost 2-0 at Cardiff City on Sunday after individual errors from Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper

Keep fighting is the message from Kalvin Phillips as he broke his silence on the mistakes he admits were made in Leeds United's loss yesterday.

Cardiff City took all three points in Sunday's lunchtime kick-off and consigned the Whites to their first defeat in seven matches.

The Bluebirds had two shots on target in the entire game and scored both of them, each coming from individual United errors.

In the first half, Phillips messed up a simple pass and gave the ball to Junior Hoilett, who then drove at the United box before hitting the top corner.

Then, in the second period, Liam Cooper's pass out to Ezgjan Alioski on the touchline was short and well-read by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who eventually teed up Robert Glatzel.

Taking to Instagram, Phillips said: "Not the result we wanted and not the performance we wanted.

"Mistakes were made and cost us the game, but we keep fighting on to next week."

Team-mate Barry Douglas replied to the post and said: "It's football. Eight more games still to play for."

Third-placed Fulham visit second-placed United at Elland Road for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/kalvin-phillips-instagram-leeds-cardiff-18468399

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Vote for Manager Approval Ratings: Scott Parker (Fulham)

We want to know if you approve or disapprove of Scott Parker as the head coach of Fulham.

The72 is launching a new weekly feature for all of the managers in the Sky Bet Championship. These are the Manager Approval Ratings where you vote if you approve of or disapprove of the manager at your club.

If you are interested in politics, you may see that polls are regularly done to see if the public approves of their leaders such as Boris Johnson or Sir Keir Starmer. We are now bringing this to football as using our poll at the bottom of the page, you will be able to say if you approve or disapprove of a manager at the club.

We will be opening the polls every Monday and then will be revealing the results on Thursday. This will be a weekly series so we will be able to track all of the ratings throughout the rest of the season and see which managers become more well-rated and which ones become less popular.

Scott Parker is the current head coach of Fulham after becoming the interim manager in February 2019 before being made the permanent boss in May 2019. They have been having a good season so far as they are challenging for a place in the automatic promotion places.

Despite that, Fulham did not have a good weekend. In their first match since the season restarted, they lost 2-0 to West London rivals Brentford. The Bees won thanks to goals from Said Benramha and Emiliano Marcondes.



https://the72.co.uk/174687/vote-for-manager-approval-ratings-scott-parker-fulham/

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Leeds United still confident and will give Scott Parker's Fulham their full attention says 'new boy' Ian Poveda
Sunday's defeat by Cardiff City has done nothing to dent Leeds United's confidence, if Ian Poveda's post-game talk is anything to go by.

The youngster, who signed permanently from Manchester City in January, quickly settled into life as one of the group at Thorp Arch.

But he has had to bide his time to make a breakthrough –it is five months since he signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road.

So much time and hard work has passed, but all the Under 23s matches, the work he did during lockdown and the murderball sessions eventually paid off with a 13-minute cameo in the latter stages of Leeds' Championship restart in Wales, behind closed doors.

The result, a bitterly disappointing 2-0 defeat, took all the gloss off the occasion for the winger. But he remained thankful to Marcelo Bielsa for the chance to pull on a Leeds shirt and determined to contribute more to the promotion effort if further opportunities arise.

"Regarding my debut I feel like it was bittersweet," he said.

"Obviously the result wasn't the best but I'm really grateful for the opportunity the manager gave me.

"Regarding my performance I feel like I have a lot more to offer.

"I'm excited to keep improving and keep showing what I can do.

"My performance is not something I'm proud of, but I'm learning from it and I know what I can bring to the team.

"I'll just keep working hard and pushing on."

And Leeds too, will have to keep pushing on.

A vast improvement, particularly in their final third work, will be required, as well as an eradication of the errors that presented Cardiff with two costly chances, when Fulham visit Elland Road on Saturday.

But no one is feeling sorry for themselves or allowing doubt to creep in, insists Poveda.

"I don't think our confidence has shattered one bit," he said.

"Everyone is still working hard, we know what we can do, we just have to go and execute it."

What they can do, he says, is simply invest everything they have in their preparations for each of the remaining eight fixtures.

The next game is a big one.

The Cottagers sit third in the table, seven points behind the Whites after their own 'opening day' defeat by Brentford at the weekend.

Scott Parker's side will have Leeds' full attention.

"We're looking at every game, taking it game by game, we don't look who we have in four games time, just who the next opposition is," said Poveda.

"We're just looking at the next one, we're going to go in and give 100 per cent and smash it, to come away with three points and a good result.

"That's what we train for, why we give our all in training, the coaching staff and players.

"That's our focus right now, we've got Fulham next and that's what we're going to do, go in and give 100 per cent and smash it."



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-still-confident-and-will-give-scott-parkers-fulham-their-full-attention-says-new-boy-ian-poveda-2892046