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Monday Fulham Stuff - 29/06/20...

Started by WhiteJC, June 29, 2020, 08:04:31 AM

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WhiteJC

Results


Sunday
Bristol City
1-2
Sheff Wed
Forest
3-1
Huddersfield

WhiteJC

3 things we learnt about Fulham during their 3-0 defeat at Leeds United

Fulham endured a tough afternoon at Elland Road on Saturday, losing 3-0 to Leeds United and slipping further out of the automatic promotion race.

Scott Parker's side have endured a tough restart to the season, losing 2-0 to Brentford last week and then struggling to contain a rampant Leeds side relentlessly chasing automatic promotion.

Patrick Bamford opened the scoring on 10 minutes and, despite Fulham bossing things in the opening 45 minutes, two swift breaks in the second period carved the West London outfit open and secured the points for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Defeat leaves Fulham fourth in the table and 10 points adrift of Leeds with seven games to play. There's seven points between them and West Brom, but the automatic promotion race is beginning to drift away from Parker on the back of two costly defeats.

Here, we begin to break down what went wrong for Fulham on their visit to West Yorkshire...

Too much reliance on Mitrovic
The first-half was a good one for Fulham and, barring the goal from Bamford, Parker will have been pleased with how his side imposed themselves on the game.

Mitrovic was at the centre of everything early on; he should've been sent off for an elbow on Ben White, who watched him closely throughout, with Leeds clearly wary of the threat the striker offers.

He's cruised past 20 goals this season and threatened in the first-half at Elland Road, volleying tamely past Illan Meslier's near post and also testing the young Frenchman's gloves.

The best chance he had came from a Joe Bryan corner, but he headed wide.

Despite those chances, White watched him closely throughout and stepped that up a gear in the second period. It completely threw Fulham and they had no answer to Leeds' second-half performance.

Simply, there's no Plan B for Parker, it's Mitrovic or bust.

A problem left side
There's no denying that Joe Bryan is a quality left-back and his seven assists this season have underlined just how important his influence is.

However, there's risk bringing that attacking threat to Elland Road and all three goals for Leeds came as they pierced his side of the pitch.

Helder Costa picked up a loose ball on 10 minutes and drove into the space Bryan had vacated before squaring for Bamford, who made no mistake to fire Leeds into the lead.

Bryan showed flashes of his quality going forward, but he missed Ivan Cavaleiro ahead of him; his absence from the starting XI continues to raise eyebrows.

Bielsa switched things up for Leeds in the second-half to combat Fulham's threat, with Jack Harrison tormenting Bryan and abusing the space the full-back left on 56 minutes.

A blistering counter allowed Harrison in-behind, with the winger squaring for Ezgjan Alioski to finish. 15 minutes later, it was the 23-year-old doing the damage, holding off Bryan and crashing the ball under Marek Rodak for 3-0.

Four minutes later, Bryan was hauled off.

Momentum needed
A long break has helped some, but hindered others. Unfortunately for Fulham, they've been slow out of the traps and automatic promotion is starting to look out of reach.

Parker will get the cushion of the play-offs as he looks to guide Fulham back to the Premier League, but heading into that lottery in this sort of form is a worry; defensive frailties are being exposed, with Mitrovic carrying the weight of the side at the other end of the pitch.

Picking up some momentum in the coming seven games is vital. It might not be enough to secure promotion automatically, but it'll give Parker's side some confidence heading into the play-offs.

A lot of these players know what it takes to come out of that three-game burst with promotion, but on the evidence of this weekend, they are miles off the required level.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-things-we-learnt-about-fulham-during-their-3-0-defeat-at-leeds-united/

WhiteJC

'Get him out', 'Embarrassing' – Plenty of Fulham fans call for action to be taken after defeat to Leeds United

Fulham's hopes of a top-two finish in the Championship hang by a thread, as they were beaten 3-0 by Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.

Goals from Patrick Bamford, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison saw Marcelo Bielsa's side run out comfortable winners, as Leeds moved to the top of the Championship table.

But it's another defeat for Scott Parker's side at a crucial stage of the season, which now means that they're seven points adrift of second-placed West Brom with seven matches remaining in this year's campaign.

Fulham were beaten 2-0 by Brentford in their last match, and the club's supporters will rightly be concerned by their poor run of form at such an important stage of the season.

Plenty of Fulham fans took to social media to voice their frustrations over some of Parker's decisions during the match at Elland Road.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/get-him-out-embarrassing-plenty-of-fulham-fans-call-for-action-to-be-taken-after-defeat-to-leeds-united/


WhiteJC

Phil Hay delivers verdict on Aleksandar Mitrovic flashpoint in wake of Leeds United v Fulham

Phil Hay is expecting Aleksandar Mitrovic to receive a suspension on the back of the officials missing his challenge with Ben White in Leeds United's victory over Fulham at Elland Road.

Leeds were 3-0 winners yesterday afternoon and impressed in a huge fixture at Elland Road, but Mitrovic's challenge on White inside two minutes was a big talking point that was missed by the officials.

As White cleared on two minutes, Mitrovic arrived late on the scene, crashing an elbow into the face of the 22-year-old. Leeds' bench appealed, but the Serbian got away with the challenge and completed 90 minutes.

And, in the eyes of Phil Hay, he believes there's going to be a ban coming the striker's way.

He wrote in his Q&A on The Athletic: "It should have been a red, all day long. And I'm certain that the FA will look at that on Monday. 

"Suspension incoming, or their certainly should be."

The win for Leeds moved them back to the top of the Championship table and 10 points ahead of Fulham. Marcelo Bielsa's side have an eight-point lead over third, with promotion firmly in their sights now.

Scott Parker's side have a uphill battle on their hands if they want the top-two, though, with a potential ban for their main man, Mitrovic, an added headache for the Cottagers.

Mitrovic's challenge on White was shocking and most people are going to be in agreement that he deserves a ban on the back of it.

It was a risky challenge and Parker isn't going to be impressed with his striker if he's sat on the sidelines in the next three games.

Fulham are up against it and need to turn results around, but that's going to be tough without Mitrovic.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/phil-hay-delivers-verdict-on-aleksandar-mitrovic-flashpoint-in-wake-of-leeds-united-v-fulham/

WhiteJC

Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Fulham - predictions, team news, lineups

West London rivals Queens Park Rangers and Fulham meet at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening seeking their first points since the Championship season resumed.

Fulham's automatic promotion hopes have all but ended following back-to-back defeats, while neighbours QPR have slipped into the bottom half after losing two from two.

Match preview
Seven points from nine prior to the three-month hiatus had Fulham well positioned to overhaul one of Leeds United or West Bromwich Albion for a place in the top two.

However, since the season resumed a little over a week ago the Cottagers have suffered a 2-0 loss to local rivals Brentford and a 3-0 reverse at Leeds.

From potentially being one point behind Leeds with seven games to play, Fulham are now 10 points behind the leaders and seven off West Brom, who have themselves struggled of late.

Indeed, with Brentford leapfrogging them into third and the chasing pack closing in, Scott Parker's men will now be looking over their shoulder in the final straight.

Fulham do at least have something to play for, unlike another of their local rivals in QPR, who are 10 points off the playoffs and eight above the relegation zone.

It is now a case of jostling for position in mid-table for Mark Warburton's side following 1-0 defeats to Barnsley and Charlton Athletic.

The biggest frustration for Warburton will be that QPR had momentum on their side before football was brought to a halt in March, winning three and drawing three of their last six games prior to lockdown.

A failure to score in those defeats to Barnsley and Charlton will be of particular concern, though the same is true of goal-shy Fulham after firing blanks in successive matches.

Fulham are now winless in four away matches, drawing three of those, though they do at least have a good record against Rangers.

The Cottagers have lost just two of the last 15 meetings between the sides in all competitions, most recently winning 2-1 in November's reverse fixture thanks to Aboubakar Kamara's brace.

QPR's Championship form: DWDWLL

Fulham's Championship form: DWWDLL

Team News
The hosts have no injury or suspension concerns on the back of their match at The Valley.

Todd Kane and Luke Amos lifted QPR when they were introduced from the bench in the disappointing defeat to Charlton and may return against Fulham.

Luke Amos was benched last time out in favour of Geoff Cameron, so that is another possible alteration Warburton could make.

As for Fulham, Parker will be desperate to get Aleksandar Mitrovic - the division's joint-top scorer with 23 goals - back on the scoresheet after four games without netting.

Fellow forward Neeskens Kebano was sent off against Leeds and will therefore play no part against Charlton, though he was unlikely so start anyway.

Elsewhere, Tom Cairney is in contention to return in holding midfield in place of either Harrison Reed or Harry Arter.

QPR possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Kane, Barbet, Masterson, Manning; Cameron, Amos; Samuel, Chair, Eze; Hugill

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Cairney; Knockaert, Reid, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic

We say: QPR 1-2 Fulham

Both sides have struggled since returning to action, but something has to give on Tuesday. Fulham still have a slim chance of going up automatically and have a good record against QPR, so we are backing them to come out on top in midweek.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/qpr/championship-promotion-race/preview/preview-qpr-vs-fulham-predictions-team-news-lineups_404238.html

WhiteJC

FA opens Aleksandar Mitrovic investigation after Ben White elbow with ban looming

Cameras captured the Fulham striker throwing a elbow into the Leeds United defender's face

Aleksandar Mitrovic is being investigated by The FA after smashing his elbow into Ben White's jaw inside two minutes yesterday.

Fulham's striker threw his right arm into the Leeds United defender's face after the latter had cleared the ball long from deep in Saturday's opening exchanges.

Referee Tony Harrington took no action at the time, but video replays showed the severity of a collision which left White flat on the deck for the best part of a minute.

LeedsLive understands The Football Association is aware of the incident and looking into it before making an official decision on any action it may take.

In the past, incidents such as this one have been punished with a three-match ban by the governing body, which would remove the Serbian from clashes with Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.

Mitrovic himself has history with The FA on a very similar incident in 2017. The forward was banned for three matches after elbowing West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini off the ball.



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/mitrovic-elbow-ban-fulham-leeds-18503613


WhiteJC

What now?

Well, yesterday sucked. I usually like to take some time before sitting down to express some thoughts and analyse but honestly, as I sit here and type drinking a cup of coffee listening to Angie McMahon, I still don't really know where I'm going here.

I'm perplexed by the impressive first half honestly, we were thoroughly excellent in the first 45, dominating possession of the football and holding Leeds into their own half and isolating Stuart Dallas in one-v-one match-ups against Anthony Knockaert, which Knockaert was winning, peppering four shots but without seriously testing the goalkeeper. We overrun the Leeds midfield and they'd have been delighted to go in level let alone a goal up.

The second half was simply a disaster. It was far from a good performance from anyone over the course of the game but I do feel it apt to repeat a point I made on Twitter, both Harrison Reed and Michael Hector were playing in central partners but on their own. Tim Ream and Harry Arter's performances contributed to the fragility of the left hand side with Joe Bryan like a deer in headlights not knowing whether he was coming or going. Leeds are credited with creating five chances from open play in the game – and four of those five came down the left hand side of our defence.

How to solve a problem like the left flank? It's been a problem area in many of the games this season but the last two matches have just highlighted exactly how it can cost us games. I think it's time to change the team about a bit and it wouldn't be the first time this season that Joe Bryan has been dropped for poor defensive performances but maybe now it's time for club stalwart Tim Ream to join him; he just looks finished. With Terence Kongolo injured and Alfie Mawson not in the match squad for the past two fixtures, his replacement would likely be Maxime Le Marchand who hasn't started a game for Fulham since November and you have to go back to August in the EFL Cup against Southampton to find his last start at centre back.

This team feels a little lost at the moment and in desperate need of a spark. Sometimes that comes with a change of personnel, or a change of shape. Now Slavisa Jokanovic kept faith with the famous 4-3-3 that won promotion at Wembley but you wonder how that season may have ended if not for Matt Targett – who not only solidified the left back but allowed Ryan Sessegnon to push up to the wing – and Aleksandar Mitrovic who gave Fulham a forward, when Jokanovic had previously played Stefan Johansen as a false nine, such was the ineffectiveness of Rui Fonte. It's too far into the season for Scott Parker to be so one-dimensional when this team's fragilities have been exposed and I think a switch to a 3-4-3 of sorts could be ideal.

In our system, we're putting pressure on our full backs to get forward and attack but Ream can't defend that channel nor is a midfielder dropping in to cover (see Jordan Henderson's work allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to essentially play as a winger). In a 3-4-3, our full backs (now wing backs) are naturally positioned more aggressively allowing them to support attacks quicker but they're also covered by three behind and typically a midfielder as well (Harrison Reed likely). Suddenly, Fulham are attacking with the two wing backs maintaining width, a central midfielder supporting and three up front – it's a six pronged attack.

Teams to think of in this shape would be Wolves, who comfortably won the title with their wing backs (Matt Doherty and Barry Douglas) contributing 27 goals (more than Anthony Knockaert, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Anthony Knockaert combined this season). Neves could dictate games knowing he had three centre backs behind plus Roman Saiss covering, width in the wing backs allowing Jota and Cavaleiro/Costa to float in between the lines as options. Jota scored 17 this season and Cavaleiro assisted 12, not only did Wolves outscore Slavisa's promotion side 'the Entertainers' they also had the best defence in the division.

Another team to consider would be Sheffield United who actually utilised a three-man defence with a strike partnership – meaning their spare man would float around as a 10. Since promotion to the Premier League this has been tweaked somewhat, adding a holding midfielder to cover those famed overlapping centre halves. I wouldn't expect Scott to be as bold as to go with overlapping centre backs but the principles are similar in it allowed Norwood and Fleck to control games in the middle. Sheffield United, like Wolves, had the best defence in the division and finished fourth for goals scored (their goals largely came from the front two in Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick). Fulham, on the other hand, have scored fewer goals than fourteenth placed QPR and as many as relegation-threatened Hull City.

Onto how Fulham may look if they were to break with Parker's favoured formation. It makes most sense to move towards a 3-4-3 to retain the wide players (also with Aboubakar Kamara seemingly injured, we're not exactly spoiled for choice with strikers). Marek Rodak retains his place in goal, Denis Odoi can comfortably play the right side of the back three, his experience playing centrally in a two as well as being confident pulling wide into the fullback positions to cover is vital. Michael Hector is the tank in the middle and Maxime Le Marchand, like Odoi but less comfortable, has experience playing full back and can pull wide if need be; he's also comfortable on the ball and we won't lose anything in terms of distribution from the back. Joe Bryan's performances would likely improve with the freedom to fly forward whilst his left back area is covered. I'd go Cyrus Christie as the right wing back, and while he's no Ryan Fredericks, he can fly and bomb up and down the wing. We've not seen Christie's best at Fulham and perhaps he may thrive in a wing-back role.

In midfield, Harrison Reed is one of the midfield two, his job would be much like Romain Saiss at Wolves, break up play, cover the back three and give it to the attackers. I don't think Tom Cairney has the range to play as his partner, I'd probably go Stefan Johansen who can switch play, create and cover from a deeper midfield position. But no, Cairney isn't getting dropped, I'd play him as the 'right' of the front three but in reality, he can go where he wants. Just get into space, receive and create, my inspiration for this would be Wigan's 343 under Roberto Martinez where Shaun Maloney was excellent in doing just that: he created most chances, was second top scorer and had the most assists; Tom Cairney can flourish in a role merely focused on being free in between the lines and making progressive passes.

The other two up top are quite simple, it's Aleksandar Mitrovic down the middle and Ivan Cavaleiro to the left. Cavaleiro has excelled in this position and has the flexibility to play on either flank and can ask serious questions of the defence with movements inside, runs in behind, or floating over to the right to create overloads and go down the line. In this shape, when the ball is on the byline in possession of the wing back, you could have the opposite wide player and Aleksandar Mitrovic in the box, the opposite winger can take a wide position in the area whilst Stefan Johansen can float around the edge.

I think with a 3-4-3, we can get some defensive solidity on top of allowing us to fire a lot of players forward, maintain the full width of the pitch and have multiple players pick up the holes in the opposition defence. I think it gives you flexibility to be aggressive with subs (dropping TC into the midfield two and putting on a Bobby Decordovia-Reid or Anthony Knockaert in the front three) or gain solidity by quickly switching to a 3-5-2 simply by dropping Cairney into the midfield or Kevin McDonald can come into the 3-4-3 and offer the Matic presence from Chelsea 343 under Antonio Conte (another successful side).

Even during a game, you could have the players simply shuffle over so Denis Odoi shapes up as a traditional right back, the centre back partnership turns into Hector and Le Marchand as Bryan slips into his old left back spot and Cyrus Christie is then a wide player (or vice versa, Christie right back, Odoi and Hector centre back, Le Marchand slides to left back and Bryan maintains a more naturally attack position). The fact that we can do so much with one movement or one sub asks so many questions of the opposition. love it Scott, what have we got to lose?

I didn't intend this to be an 'I can do better' tactical post, but it does outline an alternative to what has been quite formulaic football of late. My coffee is finished, I'm now listening to 'Summer City' by Chasing Madison and suddenly everything feels rosy (until Tuesday night). I didn't want to focus on 'who could we appoint next' but I am quite desperate to see Scott Parker do something inventive to find a win as we currently have no momentum and seemingly no confidence to succeed in the playoffs. What say you?



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/06/what-now/

WhiteJC

Games for mid-week 30/06
The games will be coming think and fast now that the Championship is back underway, Tuesday evening see's us travel the short distance to QPR.
So after Saturday's awful performance against Leeds we now take on local rivals QPR at Loftus Road.
This is the 2nd "derby" for QPR in 4 days, they lost 1-0 to Charlton in Saturday's early kick off, so they'll be looking for a result against us, and after our last two games they must be hopeful of a good result.

Fulham's record against QPR is very good, 7 wins, 2 losses and draws. We won the earlier game this season, in November, 2-1 with 2 from AK47, wouldn't it be nice to see him get a run out sometime soon?

Remember it's a 18:30 kick-off.

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Tuesday 30th

Millwall v Swansea
Barnsley v Rovers
Cardiff v Charlton
Reading v Brentford
QPR v Fulham
Leeds v Luton

Wednesday 1st
Preston NE v Derby
Forest v Bristol City
Sheff Wed v West Brom



come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1181

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Fulham Get Thrashed By Leeds United

Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, Mike Gregg, Yannis Tjanetis and Max Cohen share their views of this 3-0 Fulham loss against Leeds United.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/6/28/21306135/cottage-talk-post-match-show-fulham-get-thrashed-by-leeds-united


WhiteJC

Telegraph journalist delivers FA update on Mitrovic after elbow v Leeds

Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to get a "lengthy ban" after elbowing Leeds United centre-back Ben White in the game at Elland Road on Saturday.

The incident – that occurred with just 90 seconds on the clock – was missed by the matchday officials and the FA has launched an investigation.

There could be real trouble in store for the striker, too – Mike McGrath in The Telegraph claims that the FA will take into account his elbow on Manuel Lanzini in 2017 when he faced retrospective action while playing for Newcastle.

He was banned for three games then and McGrath claims he will get more this time and could miss the rest of the season for Fulham.

This is great news for Leeds fans, who were disgusted with what they saw from Mitrovic.

He was lucky to stay on the pitch but in the end it made no difference to the result.

Mitrovic has always had this in his game. He's got history and his former manager Steve McClaren was full of contempt for the striker on Saturday.

Talking on the Sky Sports commentary of the game he said that Mitrovic was like this as a kid and ha never changed.

What he did beggars belief. He knows the cameras are on him and he knows that if the ref misses what happened, the cameras won't.

He's let his team down at a massive moment in the season for them. They've dropped down to fifth and will now be looking at consolidating in the play-offs without their star man.

We were hugely impressed with how White dealt with it on Saturday. He got up and played Mitrovic off the pitch, when it would have been easy for him to have lost hs head.

He showed great maturity – the opposite of Mitrovic.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/telegraph-journalist-delivers-fa-update-on-mitrovic-after-elbow-v-leeds/