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Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 15/07/20...

Started by WhiteJC, July 14, 2020, 04:35:06 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Wednesday
West Brom
0-0
Fulham
Reading
1-2
Middlesborough
Wigan
8-0
Hull
Cardiff
2-1
Derby
Luton
1-1
QPR
Millwall
1-0
Rovers
Sheff Wed
0-0
Huddersfield

WhiteJC

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Fulham


Chances were at a premium at The Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion kept their automatic promotion hopes in their own hands despite a goalless draw against play-off bound Fulham at The Hawthorns.

Baggies defender Ahmed Hegazi made a crucial clearance to turn away Ivan Cavaleiro's header back across goal from in front of his own line in an otherwise cagey first half.

Visiting keeper Marek Rodak denied Grady Diangana from close range after the break, while Albion defender Semi Ajayi sent two headers from corners narrowly off target.

Fulham winger Anthony Knockaert then struck the crossbar with a dipping half-volley from outside the area, but the result means the west Londoners' chances of a top-two finish in the Championship are almost over.

West Brom, in second, are four points above third-placed Brentford having played a game more, while Fulham are five points below automatic promotion with two games to play.

Baggies edge closer to Premier League return
West Brom went into the game needing seven points from their final three fixtures to secure promotion to the Premier League, while Fulham realistically needed victory in the West Midlands to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish.

The situation made for a tense opening 45 minutes, but the game sprung into life in the final half hour, as Diangana saw his stabbed left-footed effort go narrowly wide after a crucial touch from Slovakian keeper Rodak.

As the influence of Baggies playmaker Matheus Pereira grew, Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed made a brilliant challenge to block a shot from Hal Robson-Kanu with the Wales international about to shoot inside the box.

Third-placed Brentford could move a point behind West Brom if they beat Preston North End on Wednesday (17:00 BST).

But Albion know that wins in their final two games against struggling Huddersfield Town and mid-table Queens Park Rangers will see Slaven Bilic's men return to the top flight after a two-year absence.

Fulham resigned to play-off challenge
Fulham were among the pre-season favourites for automatic promotion and an immediate return to the Premier League, but the Whites have not been in the top two at any point this season.

Back-to-back defeats by west London rivals Brentford and Championship leaders Leeds straight after the season resumed left them seven points off the top two.

Fulham responded well with four successive wins to close the gap before their trip to West Brom, but the visitors were unable to break down a stubborn defence as they lacked inspiration and cutting edge in the final third.

Knockaert's long-range effort was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock, although Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Championship's joint-top scorer this season, sent two headers from corners narrowly off target before the break.

The Whites will now face mid-table Sheffield Wednesday and an in-form Wigan Athletic side who are still hunting points to secure their place in the Championship for next season, with the Latics potentially facing a 12-point deduction for entering administration.

Fulham won promotion to the Premier League two years ago via the play-offs and Scott Parker's side, who need two more points to secure home advantage in the second leg of the semi-finals, will need to repeat the feat to go back up.

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic:
"We started the restart a bit slower, were a bit unlucky in first couple of games, but after that, in last five games, we are creating and dominating.

"We are in good form, playing good football. That's where I have my optimism and belief.

"I'm very proud with the way we played. We defended well and in the second half we kept the shape and composure and created more than enough chances.

"We just couldn't score but the composure, mentality, passion and quality made me really proud. It would be better if we had won the game of course but it's one game less to go and it's in our hands."

Fulham manager Scott Parker:
"We need to be focused, we're five unbeaten and it's a fourth clean sheet, we need to stay focused on the journey.

"We came to win the game and keep the pressure on. Up until the drinks break was perfect.

"The longer the game goes on it becomes a little bit more end to end. We tried to change things around a little bit but it didn't happen.

"The end goal that has been drummed into these players from day one is you're fortunate enough to have the play-offs."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53315995

WhiteJC

Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker was pleased by the spirit shown by his players to battle to the bitter end in their clash with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night despite being short on attacking personnel in the matchday squad.

A cagey encounter between two sides in the top six, both teams had their chances to seal victory. However, two structured & focused teams were unable to break the stalemate.

With the draw, the chances of Fulham breaking into the top two are slim. However, the Head Coach was quick to stress that his Fulham side need to remain fully focused on the task at hand.

"I think we started the match really strong," Parker said. "We dominated the ball and calved out one or two chances.

"The drinks break came at a bit of a bad time for us. They started to build-up a head of steam and then the injury to Ivan Cavaleiro disrupted us a little bit.

"The longer the game went on it started to become end-to-end, you probably want a little bit more in the attacking sense.

"I think today was a prime example of missing some attacking players. Aboubakar Kamara, Tom Cairney. You need that little bit when the game starts getting a little stretched and we wanted to go on and win the game, but we needed a little more.

"The players gave everything today and over the last three or four games so I am pleased.


"We wanted to win the game today, no doubt about that. Often I have said this year that if you can't win, don't lose. But in saying that I felt today we needed to win.

"It's just the longer the game went on we needed a little bit more and we weren't able to due to personnel. We weren't able to go for it.

"It was a good solid performance from us & we gave it a good go.

"It's not the result we wanted. We wanted to keep the pressure on but today wasn't our day.

"I think it will be difficult now to crack into the top two.

"We are in a division where there are two ways which you can get promoted and we are fortunate for that.

"We need to stay focused on the journey. There are potentially five games we need to now prepare for and stay fully committed."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/july/14/head-coach-press conference-west-brom


WhiteJC


WhiteJC

West Brom 0-0 Fulham: Cottagers' automatic promotion hopes all but over after Hawthorns stalemate

Fulham's hopes of sealing an automatic return to the Premier League this season are all but over following a goalless draw against fellow promotion chasers West Brom.

Anthony Knockaert rattled the crossbar for Scott Parker's side during a lively second half at The Hawthorns, but ultimately the visitors could not find that elusive goal that would have kept their faint top-two chances alive as they now look ahead to the play-offs.

Meanwhile, the draw for West Brom means their future remains in their own hands, with Slaven Bilic's men remaining second and just two wins away from a sealing a return to the top-flight.

However, they will still be looking nervously over their shoulders at third-placed Brentford, winners of seven second-tier matches in a row who are four points behind the Baggies ahead of a home clash with top-six hopefuls Preston on Wednesday evening.

Fulham made the slicker start at The Hawthorns with Sam Johnstone turning Knockaert's early effort wide. The Cottagers were the better side in the early stages and came close to an opener after 22 minutes when Knockaert's cross created havoc.

Ivan Cavaleiro's header looped over Johnstone and Ahmed Hegazi hacked it clear with Bobby Decordova-Reid ready to pounce for a tap in. Albion struggled against Fulham's three-man midfield with their chances limited - Dara O'Shea's miss-hit cross the only time they had Marek Rodak scrambling.

But they finally got to grips with Parker's side as Fulham's early fluency waned although, as a result, it turned into a scrappy affair. Matheus Pereira miscued a volley and after Fulham lost Cavaleiro to injury and Aleksandar Mitrovic headed over in first-half stoppage time.

Albion emerged with renewed vigour but failed to wrestle the game out of its disjointed pattern, with petty fouls halting any chance for momentum. The Baggies did pin the Cottagers back with Pereira flashing a ball across goal and firing a free-kick straight at the goalkeeper.

But the pace began to increase and Diangana was brilliantly denied by Rodak with 23 minutes left. Hal Robson-Kanu flicked on a cross for an unmarked Diangana at the far post and, after turning inside, the West Ham loanee's shot was deflected wide by Rodak's outstretched leg.

Semi Ajayi headed over the resulting corner and the defender nodded another wide five minutes later. It was a wake-up call for Fulham, who had been silenced in the second half, and they nearly snatched a 74th-minute lead.

Rodak launched a long clearance upfield for Mitrovic to flick on and Knockaert took a touch to smack a 25-yard half-volley off the top of the crossbar.

Harrison Reed then produced a goal-saving challenge on Robson-Kanu and the forward's dive as he tried to win a late penalty soon after summed up Albion's desperation.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-brom-vs-fulham-result-2020-championship-hawthorns-promotion-a4498256.html

WhiteJC

Parker admits Fulham lacked attacking threat

Scott Parker admitted Fulham's lack of attacking threat was evident during the 0-0 draw at West Brom.

Fulham had to settle for a point and look destined for the play-offs – but Brentford's automatic promotion hopes are still very much alive.

Anthony Knockaert went close to putting the visitors ahead when his second-half effort hit the bar.

The Whites remain five points behind second-placed Albion, who will be guaranteed promotion if they win their two remaining matches.

But the result means a win for Brentford at home to Preston on Wednesday would move them to within one point of the Baggies – and the Bees have a superior goal difference.

Both sides struggled to create chances at The Hawthorns.

Fulham did threaten on occasions and went close in the first half when Ahmed Hegazi had to clear from underneath the bar after Ivan Cavaleiro had headed Knockaert's cross back across goal.

Cavaleiro went off late in the first half after picking up a knock.

That did not help Fulham's cause as they were already without the injured Tom Cairney and Aboubakar Kamara.

"The injury to Ivan Cavaleiro disrupted us a little bit," manager Parker admitted.

"I think today was a prime example of missing some attacking players.

"Aboubakar Kamara, Tom Cairney – you need that little bit when the game starts getting a little stretched.

"We wanted to go on and win the game, but we needed a little more."

Fulham: Rodák, Odoi, Hector, Ream (Christie 90), Bryan, Reed, Onomah (Johansen 77), Knockaert, De Cordova-Reid, Cavaleiro (Kebano 43), Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Mawson, McDonald, Arter, Le Marchand, Sessegnon.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-set-for-play-offs-parker-reaction


WhiteJC

Hawthorns stalemate condemns Fulham to the play-offs

So, if Fulham are to make it back to the Premier League at the first attempt, they will have to do it via the play-offs. That's the bottom line after Scott Parker's side failed to beat second-placed West Brom at the Hawthorns this evening – having had the better of the early exchanges, but curiously failed to push for victory in the closing stages. Slaven Bilic's charges seemed happy to settle for the point which keeps their own automatic promotion hopes in their own hands, with Brentford still snapping at their heels.

What could reasonably have been expected to be a cagey contest actually began at a fairly frenetic pace and proved to be open at either end. Parker was insistent that he had come looking for a fifth straight victory – and Fulham initially began the brighter of the two sides. A swift counter attack carved out the first opportunity with wingers Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert combining effectively, with the Frenchman driving towards the Baggies' box and seeing a low shot from just outside the area turned aside by Sam Johnstone. Michael Hector almost turned the ensuing corner back across goal for Aleksandar Mitrovic, only for Ahmed Hegazi to scramble the ball behind.

Knockaert nearly created the opening ten minutes later. A clever switch of play from Tim Ream allowed Knockaert the room to cut back onto his left foot and Cavaleiro made up good ground at the far post to keep a deep cross alive, with Hegazi prodding off the line at full stretch as the Portuguese winger's header drifted dangerously towards goal. Marek Rodak kept out a deflected cross from Grady Diangana that threatened to loop into the far corner before Mitrovic's header was cleared from underneath his own crossbar by Jake Livermore in stoppage time.

Fulham, who had to replace the injured Cavaleiro with Neeskens Kebano before the break, failed to replicate their earlier adventure in the second period. West Brom were the aggressors for long periods, probing for an opening with Matheus Pereira's creativity to the fore. Semi Ajaya, scorer of the equaliser at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture, sent two headers from set plays just wide as well as clearing off the line from Mitrovic at the other end before Diangana somehow contrived to miss the game's clearest opening having made space for himself with a superb dummy at the back post. The on-loan West Ham winger looked certain to break the deadlock had checked inside Denis Odoi, but Rodak made an instinctive save with his feet. The excellent Harrison Reed conjured up a crucial challenge as Hal Robson-Kanu burst through on goal to help preserve Fulham's third straight clean sheet.

The lack of a telling final ball let Fulham down throughout. Mitrovic toiled manfully to get the visitors a foothold in the final third – but the visitors failed to get numbers forward to support him on a frequent basis. They might have stolen an unlikely victory when he cushioned a high ball down for Knockaert to strike from 25 yards, but the Frenchman's dipping volley crashed off the crossbar and behind. It proved to be the closest either side came to goal – and Parker will now probably rotate his squad, which has solely missed the pace and power of the injured Aboubakar Kamara as well as the guile of captain Tom Cairney of late, as he plans for the play-offs.

WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; O'Shea, Townsend, Hegazi, Ajayi; Livermore, Sawyers; Diangana (Robinson 85), Grosicki (Phillips 45), Pereira; Austin (Robson-Kanu 66). Subs (not used): Bond, Furlong, Bartley, Brunt, Harper.

BOOKED: Pereira, Livermore, Townsend.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Hector, Ream (Christie 90); Reed, Onomah (Johansen 77), Decordova-Reid; Knockaert, Cavaleiro (Kebano 43), Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, S. Sessegnon, Mawson, Le Marchand, McDonald, Arter.

REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/07/hawthorns-stalemate-condemns-fulham-to-the-play-offs/

WhiteJC

An FFC fan request: Riverside Stand survey

A recent email to the Trust inbox from Fulham fan Jamie Shaw, currently undertaking his A-Levels. As part of his studies, he has created a survey on the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand, requesting the opinions of people on the upcoming development.

It would be much appreciated if you have a spare 5 minutes (or less) that you would complete the survey by clicking the link below.

Survey link here

On behalf of Jamie, thank you.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2020/07/fan-request-riverside-stand/

WhiteJC

Fulham recruitment analysis: replacing Aleksandar Mitrović part 1- data analysis



Fulham currently holds a playoff ticket in the EFL Championship. In general, they have a fine season with 54 goals in 40 matches. 23 of these goals are contributed by the Serbian Striker, Aleksandar Mitrović. This 25-year-old former Newcastle United striker is effective. There are rumours that a lot of teams in the Premier League want to sign him when this season ends. Therefore, Fulham needs to act early and find his replacement in advance. We will delve into this topic and it will be divided into three different pieces of analysis.
This is the first part of the recruitment analysis. In this first data analysis, we'll be utilising data and statistics to find out the transfer pattern of Fulham, which will be of use in the second part of the analysis.

Background of the recruitment
Aleksandar Mitrović is a 25-year-old striker in Fulham. He has scored 23 goals in 36 games, with one assist. He is now the top scorer in the EFL Championship and has some scintillating performance on the pitch. Under Fulham's tactics, he cannot only score but also drops back to the midfield and help open the play for the pivot. Furthermore, he could also serve as the target man for long balls and crosses. That's why some teams in the EPL desire to sign him for the next season for his versatility. His current contract expires on 30/06/2024.
Fulham have 117.12 million pounds in the red in transfer for the past three seasons, especially in 2018/19 season with 111.15 million pounds of deficit in transfer. That means they may not have too much money to spend for the new 2020/21 season.
While Mitrović's market value is 20 million, selling this Serbian striker could also free 3.12 million in wage yearly. As the leaving of Mitrović is getting closer, Fulham must find his replacement at a reasonable price, with the money earned from him.

General strategy of Fulham's recruitment
Before we find Mitrović's replacement, we must get to know Fulham's recruitment strategy. We need to know the transfer pattern of Fulham to narrow down our search of candidates. We'll be using the arrivals to Fulham from 2017/18 to 2019/20. Now we will look at the first standard when Fulham recruit a new player, the age:



The above scatter graph manifests the age profile and the market value of the arrivals of the past three seasons. The grey shape covers from the low quartile to the high quartile of the age range. We can see that Fulham mostly recruits players from 23-year-old to 27-year-old. Also we can see that the market value of these arrivals won't exceed 30 million. Jean Michaël Seri possesses the most expensive transfer fee in these three seasons, which is 30 million as well.
After finding out the age pattern, we now take a look at the way Fulham recruit players for these three seasons:



The above visualization shows the way Fulham recruit for these three seasons. Generally speaking, Fulham will prefer loaning and buying players than promoting youngsters from the academy. For the past three years, they only promote six youngsters from the academy to the first team. On top of this, Fulham is not active in the free transfer market with only 4 arrivals. For Fulham, the common strategy of recruiting new players is to loan first, buy after. Mitrović is one of these cases with a loan fee of 600 thousand in 2017/18 season. He was bought in 2018/19 season with the transfer fee of 24.7 million. The starting winger Ivan Cavaleiro was brought to the club in this manner as well.
After delving into the way Fulham recruit their players, we will try to figure out from which region and league Fulham recruit the most players:



From the treemap above we can observe that Fulham mainly recruit players in England. In these three years they have recruited 26 players from English League: 16 from Premier League, 8 from Championship and 2 from League One. On top of this, they also recruit from the foreign league, especially from Ligue 1 in France. They have signed 5 players from Ligue 1. Süper Lig in Turkey also exports 3 players to Fulham. La Liga in Spain, Liga Nos in Portugal, Bundesliga in Germany deliver 2 players to Fulham respectively. Hence we now get to know where they recruit most players.

Front players' recruitment
After figuring out the recruitment strategy Fulham employ, we also want to know whether there is some specific strategy on front players' recruitment. Therefore in this section, we will try to do the same as the above section to find out the transfer pattern of front players. The first pattern we'll be looking at is also the age profile:



From the above scatter plot we can observe that Fulham also recruit most of front players from 23 to 27 years old. This is the same as their general recruitment strategy. What's more, the market value of these players are mostly around two million to eight million. Mitrović is the most expensive one amongst all the front players, with 23 million in market value. Fulham spent 24.7 million to buy him from Newcastle United.
Next, we will try to explore the way they recruit front players with the following treemap:



Loaning and buying is still the dominant way of recruiting front players (16). Free transfer and promoting youngsters only occupy a small proportion in recruitment (3). Furthermore, the method of loaning then buying still works here. Bobby Reid, Cavaleiro and Mitrović were recruited in this way. They first had a loan period in Fulham, then got bought by Fulham after the loan. It is a noticeable strategy of recruiting front players for Fulham.
Then we come to the final discussion in this part: where do they sign these front players? The packed bubble visualisation gives us the answer:



It is almost the same recruiting strategy when it comes to signing front players. Premier League and Championship are favoured by Fulham with 10 in total for these three years. Ligue 1 and Turkey Süper Lig deliver two front players respectively for Fulham. The rest are from La Liga, Bundesliga, Liga NOS and Russia Premier Liga.

Conclusion
From the above analysis, we now can figure out the recruitment strategy for Fulham. Players are mainly 23 to 27 years old. They are recruited most from buying and loaning. Fulham will also try to loan first, buy later. On top of this, players are mostly recruited from English leagues: Premier League, Championship and League One. Foreign leagues like La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Liga NOS can also be taken into consideration. Thus in the next piece, we will base on the strategy Fulham employs and try to find a list of player as Mitrović's replacement.




https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/fulham-recruitment-analysis-replacing-aleksandar-mitrovic-part-1-data-analysis-statistics