Monday Fulham Stuff - 13/07/20...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Sunday
Stoke	2-0	Birmingham
Swansea	0-1	Leeds

[WhiteJC]

Birmingham City manager latest: Chris Hughton 'waiting on Bristol City and Fulham' before making Blues decision

The former Birmingham City boss has been tipped to make a return, but repots this morning suggest he is pondering other offers.


Chris Hughton was last in charge at Brighton (Image: Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)

Former Newcastle United and Brighton boss Chris Hughton is waiting on word from two of Birmingham City 's Championship rivals before he will consider the vacant manager's job at St. Andrews.

The 61-year-old has been tipped to make a return to Birmingham after boss Pep Clotet made his earlier than anticipated departure.

But according to a report by The Sun on Sunday, Hughton is keen to get answers from Bristol City and Fulham before he will consider any offer from Blues.

Bristol City, like Blues, are without a manager after parting company with Lee Johnson while Fulham, still in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League, could part ways with boss Scott Parker this summer if he fails on his mission to return the club to the top tier.

Birmingham are said to be poised to make Hughton an offer, claims the report.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer is currently favourite to land the job, closely followed by Robbie Fowler, Nigel Clough and Steven Gerrard in the betting.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chris-hughton-city-lee-bowyer-18583356

[WhiteJC]

Ryan Sessegnon almost gatecrashed England's 2018 World Cup squad and was Championship Player of the Season at just 17, but two years later he has been frozen out by Jose Mourinho, so what has happened to the Spurs outcast who had the world at his feet?

    Ryan Sessegnon enjoyed a record-breaking season at Fulham in 2017-18
    He became one of the most sought-after youngsters in English football
    But he floundered as Fulham were relegated after spending over £100million
    He moved to Tottenham to work with Mauricio Pochettino, who was then sacked
    Under Jose Mourinho he has failed to play since the Premier League restart

Football is a fickle beast. One minute you can be the flavour of the month, the next you are yesterday's news.

At the moment it is 18-year-old Mason Greenwood who is flying on the crest of a wave after a spectacular breakthrough season at Manchester United.

Not long ago it was Ryan Sessegnon who was wowing crowds up and down the country and breaking all sorts of records on his way to helping Fulham back to the Premier League.


Ryan Sessegnon has not featured for Tottenham since the Premier League returned in June


He has struggled for consistent game time under Spurs manager Jose Mourinho

Though their return to the top flight ended in miserable relegation straight back down, Sessegnon showed enough promise to earn a £25million move to Tottenham.

At 19 he was desperate to take the next step in his career, and felt working with Mauricio Pochettino would help his progress.

But he would only make two appearances under his new manager before he was sacked after an underwhelming start to the campaign.

Jose Mourinho walked through the door promising 'passion for my job and my club'. He layered on the charm offensive, as a former Chelsea manager he almost felt compelled to.

Prospects of young players always crops up when Mourinho walks into a new job, and he quickly moved to dispel any notion that he would be reluctant to place his trust in the club's future.


Things looked on the up when Sessegnon scored for Spurs away at Bayern Munich last year


But the 20-year-old has started only eight times since the game at the Allianz Arena

He said shortly after arriving in November: 'Every manager wants to play young players, everyone wants. So, if the potential is there, you are very happy to help the young guys develop.'

Sessegnon was handed his first start in a dead-rubber Champions League group game away at Bayern Munich, and rewarded his manager's faith with a goal.

But he has started just eight times since, the last coming in Spurs' humiliating last-16 mauling at the hands of RB Leipzig in March.

Since the Premier League's restart following the coronavirus lockdown, Sessegnon has failed to feature at all. It has been a dramatic fall for a player, now 20, who had the world at his feet just a few years ago and was coveted by Europe's elite at the age of 17.

Is he in danger of falling through the trap door after a nightmare first 12 months in north London? Barcelona were this week linked with a shock loan move for the out-of-favour winger, suggesting he still retains a number of admirers. He still has plenty of time left to make good on that early promise.


Sessegnon joined Spurs for £25million last summer in a bid to work with Mauricio Pochettino

But this is not the situation he, or anyone else, would've expected the wonderkid of English football to be in just two or three years ago.

There was interest from across Europe, from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, before Sessegnon signed his first professional deal at Fulham in the summer of 2017.

After 30 appearances that season he felt ready to kick on at Craven Cottage, and kick on he did.

By the end of a superlative 2017-18 season he had not just helped Fulham back into the Premier League, but he had enjoyed one of the outstanding seasons in Championship history. So good, in fact, that he became the first Championship player to be nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

He won an unprecedented five awards - Championship Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Apprentice of the Year, and named in the Team of the Season and EFL Club Developed XI.


Sessegnon flew onto the radar when he emerged for Fulham during the 2016-17 season


In his second full season he was inspirational in securing promotion to the Premier League

There was a late push for England's World Cup squad, where he could have repeated Theo Walcott in earning a call-up despite having never played in the Premier League.

Gareth Southgate resisted those urges, but was already making plans to include Sessegnon in his post-World Cup selections.

But, amid a chaotic summer at Fulham where they spent over £100million on glamorous new arrivals, Sessengon almost became an afterthought.

He thrived in the Championship having been unleashed high up the pitch, but was moved back to left back with new star names filling in. It was that attacking role that saw him grab headlines and dominate the awards season, but that path was now blocked.

But that, it appears, is how Sessegnon prefers it. When referring to his best position earlier this summer, he admitted: 'For me, I'd say left back or left wing back. In a formation of a 5-3-1, as a wing-back. Or if we play as a four, I'd play as a full back.'

Despite the departure of Danny Rose on loan in January, Mourinho has been reluctant to turn to Sessegnon. Ben Davies has started every game since the restart.


Sessegnon cleaned up at the 2018 Championship Player of the Year awards at the age of 17


Sessegnon's form almost saw him gatecrash England's squad for the 2018 World Cup

Full backs have become all the rage in England in recent seasons. You only have to look at Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, and even Pep Guardiola's splurge on Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy back in 2017.

Rampaging, energetic full backs have become integral to modern football. Sessegnon appears to be tailor-made to be Spurs' very own version, but has a manager who won't embrace this current trend.

Mourinho appears reluctant to give him defensive responsibilities just yet. He said earlier this season: 'I think Ryan is absolutely fantastic, I have known him since a kid in Fulham.

'When he comes to the first team in the Premier League it is different to the Championship.

'I think Ryan can play as a left back. Probably the left back in the last decade was Ashley Cole, in spite of him being from two enemy clubs, but he was fantastic.

'I think in this moment he is a winger on the left, can also play on the right, can learn progressively and even developing physically, which he is doing.

'Even last time I saw him and the first time I met him when I came here he is already different physically.


Sessegnon was powerless to stop Fulham going down after a chaotic season in the top flight

'But Ryan has lots of similarities with Ashley, and he can learn how to defend. In the future I think he can be (a left back) but in this moment he is not ready to play as a left back.'

Sessegnon may have some bulking up to do if he is to prove his credentials in the Premier League. For now, with the left back berth seemingly blocked off his pathway to regular first-team action is obstructed by Son Heung-min and January acquisition Steven Bergwijn.

A loan move could do him good, but is no guarantee of success. Sessegnon has been an unfortunate victim of circumstance. He was anticipating years of fine-tuning under Pochettino, a manager many young players would be desperate to play under.

With Mourinho now between him and a first-team place, new surroundings may be the only way for him to make up for lost time, or risk becoming a footnote in the history books.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8507087/Ryan-Sessegnon-world-feet-happened-Spurs.html

[WhiteJC]

Games for mid-week 14/07
Yet another strangely timed kick-off, 17:00, for our Tuesday evening game away to West Brom.

After a good win last Friday we get to play yet another "six pointer" this time against West Brom who will be looking to cement their automatic promotion position after their surprising draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
It's good to see Mitro' back on the scoreboard, I wonder if we'll see Tom Cairney back for this game?

Our record against West Brom has been reasonably good over the last few meetings with 5 wins, 2 losses and 5 draws.

A win would see us close the gap to 2 points between us and 2nd place West Brom however, it could benefit Brentford more as assuming they get a result against Preston NE on Wednesday they'd move ahead of West Brom on goal difference, and 3 points behind the league leaders, at least until the result of the Leeds game on Thursday.

It's all getting really interesting isn't it.
COYWs

Games of Interest...
Tuesday 14th
West Brom v Fulham
Cardiff v Derby
Luton v QPR
Millwall v Rovers

Wednesday 15th
Brentford v Preston NE
Birmingham v Charlton
Forest v Swansea

Thursday 16th
Leeds v Barnsley


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=1204

[WhiteJC]

Aleksandar Mitrovic scores on return as Fulham beat Cardiff to seal top-six spot


(Image credit: Dominic Lipinski)

Aleksandar Mitrovic's penalty cemented Fulham's Championship play-off place in a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Cardiff City.

Serbia hitman Mitrovic marked his return from a three-match ban with a bullet spot-kick at Craven Cottage as Fulham sealed a fourth straight league win.

Josh Onomah later fired his third goal of the season to rubber-stamp a crucial victory for Scott Parker's men.

The Whites leapfrogged Brentford into third place, temporarily at least, with the Bees travelling Derby on Saturday.

Fulham's latest win will keep the pressure on the league's top two Leeds and West Brom, but boss Parker will surely be delighted to have secured a play-off place.

Mitrovic edged back to the top of the league's scoring charts with his 24th goal of the campaign, inching ahead of Brentford's Ollie Watkins again.

The 25-year-old had played the villain with his retrospective ban for an ugly elbow on Ben White in Fulham's 3-0 defeat at Leeds on June 27.

Fulham pulled off wins over QPR, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest in his absence, however – all without a recognised striker.

And while Parker's men still struggled for fluency, both the result and Mitrovic's goal will have Fulham buoyed up for a strong finish to the campaign.

Cardiff missed the chance to open up a four-point gap on seventh-placed Swansea, with their bitter rivals taking on Leeds on Sunday.

The visitors were left to rue Joe Ralls failing with two first-half chances, with Neil Harris' side unable to threaten after the break.

Fulham's first genuine chance proved to be Mitrovic's penalty. Dion Sanderson tangled with Mitrovic in the area though, and the resulting spot-kick changed the entire game's complexion.

Mitrovic hauled himself off the turf, approaching the ball casually before lashing home with some ferocity.

The lead flattered a Fulham side who had rode their luck on several occasions prior the the spot-kick.

Harry Arter's errant pass had gifted Nathaniel Mendez-Laing a run on goal, but the Bluebirds forward drilled straight at Marek Rodak.

Tim Ream had to endure several bouts of uncomfortable Cardiff pressing, and even had to play out for a corner from midway inside his own half.

Fulham's galvanised Cardiff again, and Anthony Knockaert received a fully deserved yellow card for taking out the breaking Mendez-Laing.

Ralls then hit the bar with an angled half-volley, hooking high over the ball with fine technique.

The Cardiff midfielder immediately traded misfortune for a miscue however, in heading over the bar under zero pressure.

Fulham dominated the second-half as Cardiff faded, unable to force any genuine threat.

The hosts were left furious not to earn a second penalty, when a Joe Bryan cross appeared to strike Curtis Nelson's arm – with Mitrovic then claiming he was fouled by Will Vaulks in the ensuing melee.

The Whites did quickly double their lead however, as Onomah traded passes with Stefan Johansen before drilling into the bottom corner.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aleksandar-mitrovic-scores-on-return-as-fulham-beat-cardiff-to-seal-top-six-spot-1594416405000

[WhiteJC]

Scott Parker still chasing automatic promotion after Fulham seal play-off spot

Scott Parker has told Fulham to keep pushing for automatic promotion after the Whites sealed their Championship play-off berth.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's penalty and a late strike from Josh Onomah sunk promotion rivals Cardiff City 2-0 at Craven Cottage as Parker's side sealed a fourth-straight win.

Fulham travel to second-placed West Brom on Tuesday, with boss Parker calling on his men not to ease off just because a play-off place is in the bag.

Asked about automatic promotion, Parker said: "It's there and we need to keep pushing, I'm delighted we've got to the play-offs.

"This team we've played tonight was in the Premier League with us, and they were eight points better than us there only a year ago.

"To get to the play-offs like we have, to perform as we have this year, I feel that we've done very, very well.

"But now there's a big game for us on Tuesday. Four points is the gap, albeit we know they have that game in hand.

"But we'll go there hoping to get a result to try to keep the pressure on.

"We had to stand up tonight to a challenge that was always going to be there from a strong and physical Cardiff team.

"A team that put the ball in the right areas from set plays and from all over the pitch.

"There was an element of real quality that shone through at times.

"We would have liked to have a bit more control but that's difficult against a good team like Cardiff.

"But also 2-0 is probably a fair result and on the scale of things we've had some other big big chances we've missed And overall I'm pleased with the result and my team's resilience."

Serbia hitman Mitrovic moved back of the league's scoring charts with his 24th goal of the campaign, marking his return from a three-match ban with a ferociously dispatched penalty.

Mitrovic missed three vital matches after elbowing Leeds' Ben White, but while Fulham won all those games in his absence, Parker admitted the Whites are relieved to have their talisman back leading the forward line.

"It's a big boost for us to have Mitrovic back, he's been an integral part of what we do," said Parker.

"But in saying that he made a big mistake and had to take his medicine.

"The team had to step up and go without him and they have done extremely well in that time, stepping up to a man.

"But we're pleased to have him back of course we are.

"It's a squad game with how thick and fast the matches are coming.

"So we've got to keep pushing and keep going."

Sixth-placed Cardiff missed the chance to open up a four-point gap on fierce rivals Swansea, leaving boss Neil Harris admitting the Bluebirds will now be sweating on results elsewhere to help their play-off battle.

"I don't think we need three wins, we certainly need to win two games and we probably need an unbeaten finish to be honest," said Harris, when asked what it will take for Cardiff to seal a play-off berth.

"We've just fallen short the last couple of matches so we've got to get back onto the right side of the fine margins and the right side in both penalty areas.

"So we look forward to it, that's the message to the players."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-still-chasing-automatic-promotion-after-fulham-seal-play-off-spot-1594419519000

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Fulham Beat Cardiff City

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

In this episode, Max Cohen and Russ Goldman go through the 2-0 victory for Fulham against Cardiff City.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/7/12/21321760/cottage-talk-post-match-show-fulham-beat-cardiff-city

[WhiteJC]

Celtic signing this 28-year-old Fulham ace would bolster a key position which needs depth



Why Marcus Bettinelli would be a good addition to Celtic

According to Daily Mail, Celtic have expressed their interest in signing Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli in the upcoming transfer window.

Bettinelli, 28, rose through the ranks of Fulham's youth system. Initially, he was sent on loan to clubs like Dartford and Accrington Stanley to develop himself with regular game time. However, since his return in the summer of 2014 to his parent club, he has established himself as a key member of the squad.

He was also instrumental in helping his side getting promoted to the top-flight at the end of the 2017/18 season but the Cottagers were eventually relegated. But the shot-stopper's performances earned him a call-up to the national squad, though he hasn't made his international debut yet.

He has been in good form in the past two seasons despite struggling with an ankle injury in recent times. And with just one year left on his contract, Celtic should make a move for the London-born goalkeeper.

Bettinelli could solve Celtic's goalkeeping issues

At the moment, Celtic have only one shot-stopper in their ranks in Scott Bain, who has been used rarely in the campaign. Their main goalkeeper this term, Fraser Forster has returned to Southampton after his loan spell came to an end last month.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/07/13/why-marcus-bettinelli-would-be-a-good-addition-to-celtic/

[WhiteJC]

FOF'cast with Gerry Pimm & Owen Smith

In this episode of FOF'cast, we are joined by Fulham fan Gerry Pimm, who is also secretary for the Fulham Supporters Trust, and Fulham fan Own Smith, who is also Treasurer for the Fulham Supporters Trust, and Friends of Fulham member.

In this show, we discuss the 2-0 win over Cardiff City. The return of Aleksandar Mitrović. Harrison Reed's Man of Match. What's happened to Tim Ream this season? Does Tom Cairney's absence improve the team? The permanent signing of Anthony Knockhaert. Tuesdays important game v WBA, plus score prediction.



Make sure you also check out the Friends of Fulham Forum for all the latest Fulham gossip

https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1207

[WhiteJC]

Sheet Piling UK Boosts Fulham FC's Support

Steel sheet pile installation specialist and supplier, Sheet Piling (UK) Limited, is playing its part in helping EFL Championship football club, Fulham FC, develop a suite of amenities, that will enable it to retain the iconic riverside, Craven Cottage site as its footballing home for many years to come.

Sheet Piling UK has been part of a project that has seen Fulham FC extend its Riverside Stand, to increase its seating capacity. The project also aims to create amenities along its stretch of the River Thames, for the enjoyment of fans, residents and visitors alike.

Extending the stand and transforming the river side walkway into a world-class destination, which will boast a pathway that allows leisure users to have an uninterrupted walk between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, required the type of groundwork support in which Sheet Piling UK specialises. Its team started work at the site in April 2020, following the demolition of Fulham FC's existing Riverside Stand.

To create the necessary support works for the new stand, Sheet Piling UK both supplied and installed a range of its Emirates Steel sheet pile sections, consisting of EZ24-700 and EZ26-700 pairs of sheet piles, of lengths of between 10-13 metres. These were used to form a three-sided permanent basement, with the fourth side formed by the previously completed and realigned Thames wall.

A part-cantilever and part-propped design solution was implemented, using the Z-section sheet piles to deliver the required structural properties and weight efficiencies. No delay in obtaining a supply of these first-class sheet piles was required, given the extensive amount of stock that Sheet Piling UK always holds. This saved the project time, enabling work to keep moving without unnecessary delay.

Sheet piles were installed into predominantly cohesive soils using vibrator methods, followed by impact driving to achieve the design toe levels, as pre-augering was not possible. Z-section Emirates Steel sheet piles were installed in pairs, using two ABI telescopic leader rigs from the Sheet Piling UK fleet. These were fitted with resonance-free vibratory piling hammers and Sheet Piling UK's double jaw clamp, ABI MZK1250 assemblies.

Impact driving was then undertaken using the company's Delmag leader-mounted hammer. This was of great benefit to the client, removing the need to create a deep lead trench, or longer sheet piles, which would have been the case had a conventional, crane-suspended, hydraulic impact hammer been used.

Having completed the initial sheet pile installation, Sheet Piling UK's team are now looking to the next stage of the bulk earthworks project, which will see them creating and installing a temporary steel-welded support frame (part cofferdam). Once the earthworks are completed, the sheet pile interlocks will be welded, so as to provide a watertight basement structure.

Sheet Piling UK's managing director, Andrew Cotton, says: "We are delighted in playing our part in giving a real community-focused football club like Fulham FC the opportunity to develop its ground in such a way as to secure its future at the site for many years to come. Many sports grounds are reticent to ask their fan base to adopt new grounds, in new locations and, through this project, Fulham FC has not had to do so. It has been able to create a valuable sporting and leisure resource at its much beloved sporting home, with steel sheet piling at its base."



https://www.bdcmagazine.com/2020/07/materials/steel-iron/sheet-piling-uk-boosts-fulham-fcs-support/

[filham]

The hint that Houghton could be waiting for Scott Parker to fail is not exactly a boost for our manager's confidence right now.
Time for us all to get right behind Scotty.

[Twig]

The hint that Houghton could be waiting for Scott Parker to fail is not exactly a boost for our manager's confidence right now.
Time for us all to get right behind Scotty.

Absolutely agree and tbh the thought of that change doesn't fill me with confidence.