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Monday Fulham Stuff - 21/09/20...

Started by WhiteJC, September 20, 2020, 02:03:33 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Saturday
Southampton
2-5
Spurs
Newcastle
0-3
Brighton
Chelsea
0-2
Liverpool
Leicester
4-2
Burnley

WhiteJC

Fight won't save Fulham, we need reinforcements

In years past, Fulham conceding the goals in the manner they did so against Leeds would've led to a gutless acceptance of loss and it's credit to Scott Parker that his squad show grit and character to fight back into the game, even if ultimately fruitless and a disappointing final 10 minutes saw Fulham struggle to retain possession and get into the Leeds final third rather than the push for the equaliser typical of these endings.

Scott Parker's side has heart, it has fight but it ultimately lacks quality in vital positions to be positive about safety. The Premier League transfer window has about three weeks left to deal with the rest of the world with a Premier League and EFL only window remaining open from the 5th October to the 16th. We didn't need two Premier League games to know that we needed help in the middle of the back four but Michael Hector's early performances may lead to thoughts of whether actually need two? It's absolutely imperative that the majority of the remaining transfer budget is spent on improving the quality in central defence. Whether that's tempting someone like Chris Smalling to return to the club or attracting Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah (both rumoured this summer), I don't mind, but sooner rather than later would be beneficial before a hole is dug that we simply can not overcome.

It's easy to be pessimistic after two games, no points to show for it and seven goals conceded but I think there are some positives. Kenny Tete looks a terrific player and will make it hard for Ola Aina to get into the team at right back, a second gorgeous delivery to assist Aleksandar Mitrovic in as many games as well as a solid defensive showing where Jack Harrison was anonymous is promising. At the other full back position, Joe Bryan might be playing his best football since starting at the club despite that moment of madness in giving away the penalty so soon after the equaliser but his alternate, Antonee Robinson is another promising player with the athleticism and play style to shine at the top.

In midfield, Harrison Reed is looking less dominant as a defensive force but is still doing fine. It's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa who provides the star power in midfield with his ball recovery, progressive dribbling and distribution that shone at Elland Road and may have been a fairly unanimous man of the match decision if the club was still doing the fan vote. With Mario Lemina in rotation for one of those two roles, the big hole is currently the most advanced as Josh Onomah has been a bit slow to Premier League football and yet to do anything of note and question marks are there around Tom Cairney's athletic qualities to be the same creative force at the top, especially when quite so one footed.

The three in behind Aleksandar Mitrovic could do with work in general. It wasn't until Neeskens Kebano's reintroduction after lockdown did we get anything of note from the flanks in the Championship and he's already found himself back on the bench. Getting some speed for the counter and quality in the final third is imperative in games where Fulham may not get so much of the ball and need to make the most of the counter attack game.

Scott Parker spoke post game about it not necessarily being a training thing, the desire to defend has to come from inside, the red alert has to come on for situations like set pieces and I don't think he's wrong. Bringing in superior quality and a champion mentality would help – Fulham's most senior players in age and experience are Tim Ream and Kevin McDonald, whilst both will go down in Fulham folklore, they are ultimately Championship players. It's time for Fulham to have that figure or two that have been there, done it, got the t-shirt and all those other cliches. It's happened throughout football history how one player with high standards and high quality benefits the rest of the changing room, the first coming to mind is Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal, it's time for Fulham to find that presence and we go again. But until we improve the middle of defence and the three in behind Aleksandar Mitrovic, it's going to be a long, long season, no matter how hard we fight.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/09/fight-wont-save-fulham-we-need-reinforcements/

WhiteJC

Sutton - I think Fulham are down already

Chris Sutton believes that the newly-promoted teams are going to struggle to stay in the Premier League this season.



https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2020/september/sutton-i-think-fulham-are-down-already


WhiteJC

CM.it: Milan have not opened talks with Fulham regarding midfielder valued at over €25m

AC Milan have not yet begun talks with Fulham over midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa, according to a report.

With the Tiemoue Bakayoko deal currently in a stalemate as Chelsea refuse to back down from their €30m demands, it has been suggested that Anguissa is one of the profiles that Milan are monitoring as a potential alternative.

According to Calciomercato.it, the Fulham-owned midfielder spent last season on loan at Villarreal, who offered around €25m to sign him permanently, an offer which the west London club rejected.

They add that the moment there have not yet been any contacts from the Rossoneri for the Cameroon international, neither with the player's entourage nor with his club.

The profile is what the AC Milan fans need, but any negotiations have not started yet, and the report mentions how the likes of Boubakary Soumare, Florentino Luis and Lucas Torreira have also been linked.



https://sempremilan.com/cm-it-milan-have-not-opened-talks-with-fulham-regarding-midfielder-valued-at-over-e25m

WhiteJC

Mitrovic's fury, Parker's patrol and a key star - what we learned from Leeds United vs Fulham

Fulham are yet to win a point this season but pushed Leeds close at Elland Road


Referee Anthony Taylor speaks with Aleksandar Mitrovic (Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Mitrovic's fury

Much has been made of Aleksandar Mitrovic's discipline. A great deal of it unfounded. The Serbian can have a wild moment on occasion as seen with his elbow on Ben White last season. However he's picked up just 16 yellow cards in the two seasons before this one.

Not only this, he has become Fulham's captain and as their best player holds a great deal of responsibility for the Cottagers. Outbursts like he had in the first half might worry some.

As the 26-year-old challenged to put a header on goal, he was penalised for a push on Liam Cooper. Mitrovic was incensed. His complaints filled the empy air of Elland Road and Anthony Taylor was left under no illusion who it was directed at. A lengthy talking to was the forward's only punishment but perhaps he was lucky.

With the yellow card he received later in the match it serves as a warning. While Mitrovic's discipline can't really be under question, there will be narrow margins and creating situations where punishment could be served needs to be avoided. In his status as goalscorer, captain and talisman he is simply too important to miss games through suspension due to a number of cautions.

Then again, venting his frustration in this format is better than needing to release that energy in a more aggressive manner.

Parker's patrol

Perhaps unsurprisingly Scott Parker was on the edge of the touchline for the vast majority of his 90 minutes. Like his adversary Marcelo Bielsa he was assessing and dictating, aided by first team coach Matt Wells.

In the 35th minute their frustration was clear. Repeatedly the Cottagers knocked the ball around at the right hand side of the pitch in their own half, with Ivan Cavaleiro in space high on the left wing. It looked pre-meditated and the coaching duo were shouting and waving for Kenny Tete and Michael Hector to take advantage.

Of course all of this is nothing to worry about too much in itself. Parker's words after the match more so.

He said: "For me at times this is not about a training, showing certain aspects, work all week, it's about a mindset when it comes to defending. A bulb that goes off in your head when you need to understand certain moments in football matches are critical - where you have to be on high alert because in the Premier League at any given moment where you're nice and relaxed mode and putting them under pressure - if you can't change that and be aggressive and sense that danger you're going to struggle.

"That's what we need to improve on. Of course there are individual mistakes but the biggest issue for me is understanding that certain moment you need to show another side and it comes from deep in the belly. At times we're too nice, we don't recognise that we can't go from in possession to within split send the balls in the net through something you don't see coming."

Fulham's boss clearly believes in his team's character but doesn't appear to trust them in crucial moments, and with the errors so far this season it's understandable. Perhaps Parker's concerns lead to his everpresence in his technical area but they need someone on the pitch fulfilling the same role.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa stakes claim as key man

Anguissa showed flashes for Fulham 18 months ago as someone who could hand at the Premier League level but never came close to fulfilling his fee.

20/21 could be the season that changes.

Returning from a successful loan at Villareal, Anguissa has stood out among the Fulham ranks. His strength and balance to both win and keep hold of the ball was impressive and he read the game to make some crucial interceptions.

The Cameroon international of course also provided the assist for Bobby de Cordova-Reid and had an eye for incisive pass which Parker's side have so often lacked. Seven completed dribbles, three key passes to go with winning possession 14 times. Even when at times there was hint you just wanted to see more of him - he touched the ball more than any other Fulham player.

There are concerns whether he is 100% up to speed with the hit of cramp, and some instances where he perhaps play-acted too much. But he seems like the player Parker once, operating and focused on the win.

His presence this season is all bit confirmed despite interest from Milan, and Parker sees him an essential figure.

The boss said: "It was touch and go whether I started him today because he's not had as much work as some of the others. he was exceptional today, I thought he was a driving force, everything I talk about when I talk about character and real determination, Frank put his hand up today and showed that.

"He's going to play a massive part, he's a fantastic player and he'll need to drag some with him as well."

With Marek Rodak or Alphonse Areola, Mitrovic and Anguissa Fulham have the start of a spine. We all know what is needed next.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/mitrovic-anguissa-fulham-scott-parker-18966511

WhiteJC

Sassuolo: Fulham has made offer for central defender Marlon

Marlon-Fulham: the English club are very interested in Sassuolo's central defender, they have already made an offer and aim to close the deal in the next hours.

The negotiations are at an advanced stage, and Marlon is starting on the bench in today's Sassuolo match against Cagliari. After Fluminense, Barcelona, Nice and Sassuolo experiences, the class 1995 could now join Fulham and Craven Cottage.



https://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/sassuolo-fulham-has-made-offer-for-central-defender-marlon


WhiteJC

Fulham make Marlon offer

Fulham have submitted an offer for Sassuolo centre back Marlon, according to reports from Italy this afternoon.

Sassuolo director Giovanni Carnevali told Sky Sport Italia:

'We had an offer from Fulham, an important one, so we are evaluating it and the negotiations are in progress. We'll see over the next couple of days if we can conclude them'.

The 25 year-old defender has been left on the pitch for Napoli's Serie A opener against Cagliari. The Italian press believe Fulham's offer to around £14m, although the Brazilian's former club would be due half of the transfer fee as part of the deal that took Marlon to Italy two summers ago.

The 6ft centre half, who came through the Fluminense youth academy, made three senior appearances at the Nou Camp and was loaned to French side Nice for the 2017/18 season. He has played 41 times in two seasons with Sassuolo, scoring one goal. Fulham's need for reinforcements in central defence was underlined by their dreadful defending in a 4-3 defeat at Leeds yesterday, which followed a 3-0 loss at the hands of Arsenal on the opening day of the season.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/09/fulham-make-marlon-offer/

WhiteJC

Five Thoughts: Leeds United 4-3 Fulham
Well, that wasn't boring, was it? Frustrating, yes, although a 4-3 loss against Marcelo Bielsa's free-flowing Leeds United, away from home, sounds a lot nicer than a 4-1 drubbing. Sure, we still lost, but the Lilywhites didn't have it all their own way and for the final half an hour or so, their bucket-sitting mastermind was bricking it.


I don't know whether you knew this, but that was Leeds' first Premier League game at Elland Road in, like, forever and what a captivating show both camps laid on for us, as we laboured through Robbie Savage's pathetic takes and quips about how awkwardly shite he was as a player.

Two defeats from two, nothing much to cry about other than the damning talking points complied within this supplement but there is one glistening silver lining: we are not rock bottom! As it stands, there are two teams worse off than Fulham and I'll adopt that as bloody huge plus.

Shapeless Defensive Downfall
As a collective, whilst Leeds surged towards our penalty with sharp, incisive interchanges, our defensive shape was completely farcical. There's no other way to describe our organisation, we allowed the hosts to drag our back four apart, although we were the masters of our own downfall, yet again, and it's becoming far too familiar. Last week against Arsenal, you can pardon the obvious gulf in quality but Leeds aren't that amazing, let's be fair, and our hideous fragility at the back will be detrimental to our campaign if we don't address the glaring issues that arose on Saturday.

Michael Hector wasn't convincing against the Gunners and his disorderly disposition bled into proceedings at Elland Road. Pressing far, far too high, hacking at simple passes, the Jamaican made a rod for his own back and we paid the price for his poor decisions. Denis Odoi carried possession well but once he was tasked to tend to his defensive duties, he was outfought physically and he was a passenger, on the slow train, in retreat. Patrick Bamford, a BTEC Harry Kane, terrorised our central pairing, who were purposeless as they stumbled haplessly after shadows and that, in the company we keep, is inexcusable, as well as laughable.

We will not survive with the central defensive options we have at our disposal. Hector needs a strong leader to keep him in check, Odoi shouldn't really be anywhere a top-flight starting XI, Tim Ream is an immobile hindrance and Maxime Le Marchand is nothing more than a cult hero on football Twitter. If Saturday's capitulation didn't prove to Tony Khan that we need credible reinforcements, I haven't a clue what will. Out wide, I'd say we're in relatively safe hands but centrally, in the heart of our defence, we're painfully ill-equipped. One solid centre-half on a perm and another on loan, anything less will tempt a season riddled with self-inflicted upheaval.

Zambo Raises Standard
What a delight it was to marvel upon Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's sheer dominance in the middle of the park. A makeweight between attack and defence, Anguissa constructed meaningful phases, protected the ball intently and interrupted Leeds' tempo, before they could really harness their distressing momentum. Leeds may have netted 4, of course, but Anguissa wrangled the Lilywhites and Kalvin Phillips, dubbed the Yorkshire Pirlo, paled in comparison to our midfield chieftain's incessant work-rate and endeavour.

The 23-year-old's sublime technical ability looks almost wrong for a man of his size, but he glides through traffic in the same way a Suzuki Ninja dodges double deckers. He initiated the move that presented our second of the match, he weaved out of tight pockets with graceful foxtrot-inspired footwork and for brawn and muscle, he was unrivalled. He's a sergeant of sauce, a catalyst and discounting the end result, he was the stand-out performer amongst both camps. Everything went through his supervision before it was approved and the more he stamps his authority, the more of a presiding force we'll eventually become.

Whatever happens in the remainder of the transfer window, we have to hold on to Anguissa, no matter what. Enticing figures may come from Spain or further afield, but he is a crucial linchpin within our system and we've all seen enough of him to know he's head and shoulders above his teammates. The Cameroon international makes us tick to a methodical beat, orchestrated by himself, and where Tom Cairney knits patterns and Harrison Reed cuts out danger, Zambo does both so naturally and it's a privilege to have a enforcer of his calibre on our books.

All About Tete
Kenny Tete was introduced to English football midweek and he was certainly a bright spark on his Premier League debut. Clamping tackles, dogged commitment, the Netherlands international right-back equalled Jack Harrison's pace and intensity and, whilst he may have been out of position during the build up to Leeds' 4th, he was alive to the occasion with beneficial contributions both defensively and offensively.

There's a connection brewing between Tete and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Our new right-sided exponent gets it, to score goals you have to load the box and from his perspective, supplying ammunition from the flanks for our target man is obligatory. He did so against the Tractor Boys and he delivered the goods in Yorkshire. We have a fullback that can do both, an essential requirement of the modern game, he advances just as well as he retracts from counters and that will balance our approach, which has severely lacked cohesion of late.

He'll get to grips with top-flight football swiftly, he's a professional that's competed in the Champions League, Ligue 1 for that matter, and the caution he picked up for grappling with Harrison proves he'll take no prisoners. He's not here to warm the bench or drift in and out of the fold sporadically, he made the jump to SW6 to become a trusted mainstay and if he conducts himself with the same no-nonsense attitude every week, he'll become a pivotal member without debate or discussion. I like what I saw and at last, after nearly two years of yearning, it appears we have an immensely capable right-back in Tete.

Mitro' Off Mark
Getting that first goal of the season is significant for a striker. Barren spells can turn into bleak streaks, so Mitrovic will be delighted with his brace, even if it didn't promise any points at the final whistle. He's off the mark in the top-flight and now he's discovered his scoring form in the second meeting of the campaign, there'll be plenty more speaker box celebrations to come. It doesn't matter how they go in, his penalty wormed under Illan Meslier and his towering header was an approved trademark of his services and the important thing is he's strangled that duck before it even flapped it's confidence-sapping wings.

Liam Cooper and Robert Koch ganged up on the menacing Serb and they supressed him in patches but, as any rear-guard will tell you, you can't keep Mitro' under lock and key for the entirety of a 90-minute outing. Mitro' is not blessed with searing pace or beguiling trickery but he is everything a lone hitman should be. He relishes the ugly factors of the game, those gritty duels are what he was raised on and if a centre-half believes he's got the fierce striker sussed, Mitro' will exact his superiority in one way or another.

Utilising his presence is mandatory and, as always, it showed when we involved him in our sequences. He's designed for elite football, his chart-topping records suggests there's plenty more in the tank and there's nothing more calming or alleviating than seeing Mitro' do precisely what he was put on this earth to do in a Fulham jersey. On another day, in a galaxy far away from ours, Mitro's double would've been enough to warrant three points but at this stage, taking goal difference into consideration, I'm just happy he's doing the business. Do we rely on him? I'd say we do, heavily, but when you've a striker with the proficient ability he possesses, you'd be foolish not to.

Subs Deserve Credit
Let's talk about subs. Neeskens Kebano and Bobby Decordova-Reid altered proceedings to favour our cause, so we've got to credit them for our spirited, if not futile, fight back. At 4-1 down, we could, and should, have crumbled but our diminutive replacements for a mono-dimensional Aboubakar Kamara and a dysfunctional Joshua Onomah, respectively, instilled a refreshing enthusiasm and, though they entered the fray in the 58th minute, I only wish we'd unleashed them sooner.

Piercing runs from both Kebano and BDR unsettled Leeds, who set up to absorb telegraphed long balls from deep in our own half. We suddenly found gas between midfield and defence with our expeditionary substitutes on the field, our passing was slick, alluring and we held a greater threat moving forward for the remainder. Decordova-Reid's cut a deflated figure in his previous appearances, however he dispatched his 62nd-minute strike superbly and a goal was fully deserved. He's got unbelievable potential, but his performances dip and spike so regularly, you forget just how useful and inventive he is in the final third.

Mario Lemina was slightly shaky once he took to the turf but all in all, our subs definitely made the difference and I'm grateful that we actually bothered to relinquish the deficit, instead of gambling on damage limitation. Scott Parker will learn how to read narratives and he'll recognise when it's necessary to shake things up and, for what it's worth, I'd say he got his reinforcements spot on. He wasn't impressed with how we faded out of the game, but he can hold his head up high knowing the personnel he entrusted restored a slither of pride and decency.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-09-20-five-thoughts-leeds-united-4-3-fulham/

WhiteJC

Well done Parker – Why Fulham's deal for their talented 23-year-old ace is absolutely sensible

Why Fulham securing a new deal for Josh Onomah makes sense

As confirmed via the club's official website, Fulham midfielder Josh Onomah has signed a contract extension with the club until the summer of 2023, with the Cottagers holding the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

The 23-year-old has expressed his delight after putting pen to paper on fresh terms while he also sees this as a great opportunity to prove his credentials in the Premier League. (h/t Fulham official)

Profile

Josh Onomah rose through the youth ranks of Tottenham Hotspur and was handed his first-team debut in an FA Cup tie against Burnley during the 2014-15 season.

The attacking midfielder made 13 substitute appearances in the Premier League over the next two seasons while also featuring sporadically in the domestic cup and European competitions. Having struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Tottenham, Onomah was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa respectively.

The 23-year-old eventually joined Fulham on a permanent deal last summer, thus reuniting with his former Tottenham youth team manager Scott Parker at Craven Cottage. Onomah registered 4 goals and 3 assists in 34 appearances in the Championship last season as the Cottagers secured promotion back to the Premier League via the playoffs at the first time of asking.

A part of the England U-20 side that lifted the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Onomah has also represented the Three Lions at the U-21 level.

Fulham could benefit from Onomah's potential

Fulham have initiated a contract renewal drive this summer after making some handy additions to their squad in the transfer market. Defenders Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi recently penned new deals in West London and Josh Onomah has become the latest first-team player to commit his long-term future to the Cottagers.

The news of Onomah's new contract certainly comes as a step in the right direction for Fulham. Parker's faith in the midfielder's abilities and his persistence with his selection paid off handsomely as the 23-year-old contributed greatly to the club's promotion success with a number of top-drawer displays towards the end of last season.

The former England U-21 international scored his first goal for Fulham against Leeds United back in December while his impressive form post-lockdown was instrumental in the club's march to the playoffs. Onomah netted thrice following the restart, including a superb solo effort to see off Cardiff City in the playoff semi-final. He also caught the eye against Brentford in the final at Wembley.

Verdict

Fulham's decision to tie Josh Onomah down to a new deal can be seen as an obvious vote of confidence in the player's abilities. The 23-year-old showed glimpses of his massive potential in the Championship last season and it remains to be seen whether Parker manages to mould him into a player capable of making the step up to the Premier League.

The Cottagers could have a very handy player in their ranks if Onomah manages to take his game to the next level after signing the new deal.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/09/21/why-fulham-securing-a-new-deal-for-josh-onomah-makes-sense/


WhiteJC

Report: Premier League newcomers interested in Spurs' Argentine international

According to The Athletic's Peter Rutzler, Fulham could be set to make a move to sign Juan Foyth before the transfer window shuts.

Foyth has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Jose Mourinho in North London and reports indicate that he is one of a number of players which Tottenham are ready to cash-in on this summer.

Leeds were reported to be interested in snapping up the Argentine this summer (TuttoMercatoWeb) but it now appears that he is no longer on Marcelo Bielsa's radar following Robin Koch's arrival at Elland Road (Leeds Live).

However, it now looks another newly-promoted side in Fulham could be about to enter the fray for the 23-year-old's signature.

Rutzler's revealed that Scott Parker is keen to strengthen in central defence and that the Cottagers will make a permanent offer for Foyth and a loan offer for Watford's Craig Dawson before the transfer window closes on October 5th.

Spurs Web Opinion

Fulham, like Leeds, tend to play out from the back, and Foyth would thus be a good fit for them. I would like to see the 22-year-old being loaned out as I believe he could evolve into a top defender once he gets some Premier League experience under his belt.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-premier-league-newcomers-interested-in-spurs-argentine-international/