Saturday Fulham Stuff - 03/10/20...

[WhiteJC]

Scott Parker keen to strengthen Fulham defence ahead of transfer deadline day

Fulham boss Scott Parker is hopeful of adding defensive reinforcements to his squad ahead of Monday's transfer deadline but admits it is "touch and go".

The Cottagers have leaked 10 goals in their opening three Premier League games and shipped three more in a humbling 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford on Thursday.

Fulham owner Tony Khan felt the need to apologise for his side's defeat against Aston Villa on Monday – a tweet that annoyed Parker – while also revealing that they had failed to bring in four central defensive targets.

Time is ticking until the international transfer window shuts on Monday night.

"I would like to think with the centre-backs that by Monday we will have some additions in the building to help us and help the squad," Parker said.

"That is what you need when you take the step up from the Championship to the Premier League, you need to evolve and add that quality as well.

"We are all aware that come Monday hopefully there are some players here.

"I'm not sure when they will arrive. We are currently in the market, we have been for some time. There are three days left, it is obviously touch and go, but hopefully we will get some business done in the next coming days and see where we are.

"If that's not the case that's not the case. If not, we will reboot and see where we are when it is all closed up and we will keep pushing."

Fulham have done some business this week, bringing Ademola Lookman in on loan from RB Leipzig.

The former Charlton and Everton winger made his debut from the bench in the Carabao Cup on Thursday and Parker knows he will be an asset, with a possible first start on the cards at Wolves on Sunday.

"He has not had a lot of match minutes, he has obviously trained with Leipzig, it was good to get him on the pitch for 45 minutes," said the Fulham boss.

"I think we have seen in a short space of time, in that 45 minutes, the quality he has got. In those wide areas he has got a lot of qualities.

"Hopefully he will be involved at the weekend in some capacity, whether that is at the start or on the bench. Then he can give us exactly what we need."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-keen-to-strengthen-fulham-defence-ahead-of-transfer-deadline-day-1601647003000

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Preview: Wolves vs. Fulham

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

This epsiode is a preview of Fulham's upcoming match with Wolves, but it is also a look back at a terrible week for Fulham Football Club.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/10/2/21498644/cottage-talk-preview-wolves-vs-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and West Ham have 'reactivated' their interest in defender – Club's desire to sell 'has increased'

West Ham and Fulham have 'reactivated their interest' in Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby, with the Spanish side looking for a sale.

That's according to Super Deporte, who follow up on reports from France yesterday that the Premier League duo were looking at the 24-year-old.

We covered a report from Foot Mercato that named Fulham and West Ham as suitors for the centre back, with it stating that they had 'taken the temperature' ahead of a possible move.

That was as far as the report went, failing to given any specific details about the potential transfer, chiefly how much it would cost.

Super Deporte now provide that, saying that Valencia chairman Peter Lim is 'requesting' €20m for the defender.

They explain that Valencia's perspective on Diakhaby has recently changed and Lim's desire to sell the Frenchman 'has increased'.

That has led Fulham and West Ham to reactivate their interest in him, with both clubs known to be on the hunt for a new centre back before the end of the window.

Whether they've been in contact with the La Liga side isn't mentioned, but with Valencia open to a sale and a price tag now set, Diakhaby is a name to keep an eye on in the next couple of days.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-west-ham-diakhaby-valencia-transfer/

[WhiteJC]

'We Saw The Quality That He Has' - Parker Hints Fulham New Boy Lookman In Contention Vs Wolves

Manager Scott Parker has hinted that new signing Ademola Lookman could play his first game for Fulham in the English Premier League when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, October 4.

Lookman came off the bench to replace Josh Onomah in yesterday's 3-0 loss to Brentford in the Carabao Cup and appeared to be Fulham's best player with most of the attacking threat coming from him.

Parker noted that the former England U21 international was lacking match fitness before joining Fulham earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Parker said on Lookman : "He's not had a lot of minutes. He's been training with Leipzig. It was good to get him on the pitch for 45 minutes.

"We saw in a short space of time the quality that he has, especially in one v one areas.

"Hopefully he'll be involved in some capacity, whether that's from the start or on the bench. He can give us exactly what we know he is capable of doing."

Lookman made 36 appearances for Everton in the Premier League before a permanent move to RB Leipzig last season.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=37584

[WhiteJC]

Sheffield United target Kongolo close to exit... but Fulham are reportedly favourites to sign him

Sheffield United target Terence Kongolo appears to be edging closer to an exit from Huddersfield Town.

The Blades are linked with Kongolo as a potential replacement for Jack O'Connell. O'Connell is set to miss the majority of this season after having knee surgery on Wednesday.

It means manager Chris Wilder wants to sign a left-sided centre-back to fill in for the 26-year-old. He has given a list of targets to the board.

It seems Kongolo is included, with his ability to play as a left-back on the left of a three-man central defence.

Huddersfield head coach, Carlos Corberan, has revealed that, amid this interest, the Netherlands international has been left out of his squad for tomorrow's Championship fixture with Rotherham United.

Karlan Grant has also been omitted, with West Bromwich Albion thought to be keen.

"A lot of the time, clubs wait until the last moment to make their final offers. But I don't know if that is going to be the case with these two players," Corberan told The Yorkshire Post.

"The situation with those players is the same, they both have options to move but have the option to stay if they don't make a deal with another club.

"Right now, they are not going to be involved in the next game."

Why Kongolo looks unlikely to join Sheffield United
While it seems the 26-year-old will be leaving the Terriers soon, it doesn't look like his next destination with be Bramall Lane.

That's because Yorkshire Live report Fulham are the favourites to sign Kongolo. The Dutchman joined them on loan in January, although was limited to just two appearances after breaking his foot shortly after arriving.

However, interest from the Cottagers still remains as they look to shore up their leaky defence. Like the Blades, they have lost all three of their Premier League matches so far this season.

Yet they are bottom with an inferior goal difference, having conceded 10 times in three fixtures.

AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce are also thought to be keen on Kongolo, but Fulham lead the way. Huddersfield want to recoup as much of the £17.5m they paid for the centre-back two years ago.

They also want to get Kongolo's large wages off their books.



https://www.sheffieldunited.news/news/sheffield-united-target-kongolo-close-to-exit-but-fulham-are-reportedly-favourites-to-sign-him/

[WhiteJC]

Classy U23s beat Fulham at Craven Cottage

Goals from Tyrese Omotoye and Tom Dickson-Peters secured a professional 2-0 win against Fulham Under-23s at Craven Cottage in the Premier League 2 on Friday night.

As the heavens opened in Greater London, it was City who flooded Fulham's 18-yard box with yellow and green early on, Rob Nizet having the first chance of the game from at least 30 yards out as he spotted Luca Ashby-Hammond well off his line, but his ambitious effort went well wide of the post.

Nizet again had a chance for the opener, when a Reece McAlear corner came out to City's number three to shoot from distance straight into the hands of Ashby-Hammond.

The McAlear corner continued to cause Fulham problems, Andrew Omobamidele next to win an aerial duel and clip a header wide of the far post in the 20th minute.

McAlear looked like he was really in the mood for this one, pressing high up the pitch to win the ball from Fulham in the 24th minute, before putting it on a plate for Omotoye to take a touch and pick out the bottom right corner, precisely sending his low shot past the onrushing 'keeper.

David Wright's side continued to control the first-half beyond the half-hour mark, a Jon McCracken goal-kick finding its way to Josh Giurgi on the right way. He pulled the ball back for William Hondermarck to have his first sighter, volleying over with a first-time shot.

It wasn't until the 34th minute that the hosts had their first chance of the game, Ryan Jones meeting a corner from Adrion Pajaziti but seeing his effort cleared off the line by Ethen Vaughan.

Following the half-time break, City continued to look lively, with Omotoye winning a corner after flicking the ball over a Fulham midfielder and driving at the defence. Another corner later and Omobamidele was again the target man for McAlear, but headed over the bar.

Fulham had a half-chance in the 55th minute, as Terry Ablade controlled the ball falling from the sky before playing it to Jayden Harris, who scuffed his shot wide of the post.

Jean-Pierre Tiehi had the physique to make himself a handful for defenders, but his first chance of the game for Fulham came in the 64th minute, a McCracken save being re-bounded wide by the home side's number nine.

Ashby-Hammond made a save for the cameras in an increasingly end-to-end second half. A misplaced pass was picked up by Hondermarck, who in turn found Zach Dronfield inside. The latter set his sights and leathered a shot from distance, but the outstretched Fulham 'keeper expertly tipped it onto the crossbar.

Tiehi had another chance to equalise in the 71st minute, but his headed attempt went straight at McCracken.

The Canaries continued to hunt for the second, McAlear finding Omotoye with a deep free-kick and the latter heading towards the bottom right corner. The busy Ashby-Hammond got down to his left to parry it round the post, before McAlear's corner was headed onto the bar by Omobamidele.

When the second came, it was courtesy of substitute Dickson-Peters, who had been on the field for less than five minutes. Giurgi burst down the right wing and pulled the ball back for the striker to cushion into the roof of the net, giving City a deservedly more comfortable lead.

At the other end, McCracken was adamant about keeping a clean sheet, somehow scrambling to his left to stretch out and save from a dangerous Fulham corner that had been met inside the danger area. Fulham went close again moments later, hitting the post after a goalmouth scramble.

Nine points from twelve in Premier League 2 - not a bad start to the season for the Under-23s!

Fulham: Ashby-Hammond, Murphy, Larkeche, Harris, McAvoy, Mundle-Smith, Ablade, Pajaziti, Tiehi, Davis, Jones (Stansfield, 62')

Goals:

Bookings:

Norwich City: McCracken ©, Vaughan, Omobamidele, Tomkinson, Nizet, Dronfield, McAlear, Giurgi, Omotoye (Springett, 79'), Dennis (Dickson-Peters, 72'), Hondermarck

Goals: McAlear (24'), Dickson-Peters (77')

Bookings:

Venue: Craven Cottage

HT: 0-1



https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/october/match-report-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

West Ham and Fulham keen on Mouctar Diakhaby

West Ham are interested in signing the Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby.

The Hammers have been linked with quite a few defenders this summer and it will be interesting to see if they come forward with a concrete offer for Diakhaby in the coming hours.

With just three days left in the window, West Ham will have to act quickly if they want to sign him.

As per Super Deporte, Fulham are keen on signing the defender as well and remains to be seen where the player ends up eventually.

Both clubs need defensive quality and Diakhaby would be a superb signing for them. West Ham are probably a better project and they have a greater chance of staying in the Premier League at the end of this season. Therefore, the player could be tempted to snub Fulham.

Apparently, Valencia are looking for a fee of around €20m this summer.

The asking price seems reasonable and West Ham should be able to pay that for a player of Diakhaby's quality.

The 24-year-old has the quality to succeed in English football and he is at an age where he is likely to improve further with experience and coaching.



https://sportslens.com/west-ham-and-fulham-keen-on-mouctar-diakhaby/317020/

[WhiteJC]

Parker insists Fulham must work through negative 'noise'

If Fulham fans think things are bad now they should cast their minds back a little over four years.

The Whites had just been crushed 3-0 by Reading in the Championship and plummeted to the foot of the table with a single point from six games.

Scott Parker was in the team that fell apart at the Madejski Stadium on September 13, 2016, and cut a frustrated figure when he spoke to this reporter after the match.

The Fulham boss admits those precarious times have toughened him up. As a result, he's now better equipped to deal with the current malaise.

"I've learned how to react from experiences. I'm older now and a bit more wiser," he said.

"Am I a bit more rational and a bit more level? Yes, I am.

"I'm also a realist and I can see where we have problems.

"Feeling sorry for ourselves and listening to the noise that's coming at us at a million miles an hour is only going to add to the negativity.

"I know it's a cliche, but we need to keep working".

Fulham are away to Wolves on Sunday and hope to get a first point on the board at their fourth attempt.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/parker-insists-fulham-must-work-through-negative-noise

[WhiteJC]

Wolves Matchday Preview

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham | Molineux | Sunday 4th October 2020 | 2pm | #WOLFUL
The opposition
    After a perfect start to the season when two very early goals saw off Sheffield United, Wolves have had to endure three consecutive defeats. After being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Stoke City, they were beaten 3-1 and 4-0 by Manchester City and West Ham United, respectively.
    There was some positive news coming out of Molineux this week, though, as club captain Conor Coady signed a contract extension that keeps him at Wolves until 2025.
    The Portuguese influence continues to grow at the Black Country side with the summer additions of Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo, although they did lose Diogo Jota to Liverpool.

Wolves team news
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will hope to recall Daniel Podence after the exciting playmaker missed the West Ham defeat with a shoulder injury. Fernando Marcal was also absent at the London Stadium, and remains a doubt for Sunday, while fellow left-back Jonny Otto is definitely out as he continues with his recovery after injuring his ACL.

Fulham team news
Scott Parker revealed in his pre-match press conference that Kenny Tete will see a specialist regarding his calf injury. Mario Lemina will again be absent on Sunday, while Harrison Reed remains a doubt.

Coverage
Sky Sports will be showing the game live, while FFCtv subscribers can listen to live commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Form
Wolves: WLLL

Fulham: WLWLL

Pre-match quotes

"Fulham are back and what I see now is a good team, good players and it'll require a lot from us."

Nuno Espirito Santo
Wolves head coach

"I understand there are certain elements that we need to improve on. We all get that, but I don't think it's as drastic as everyone makes out."

Scott Parker
Fulham Head Coach

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/october/Wolves-Matchday-Preview/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham hoping to convince Jean-Clair Todibo to join them

Fulham are hoping to convince Jean-Clair Todibo to join them on a permanent basis from Barcelona before the international transfer window closes on Monday, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The centre-back is free to leave the Blaugrana before the transfer deadline and of late, it has emerged that Premier League side Everton are leading the race to sign him on a season-long loan.

However, the Catalan giants are said to prefer a permanent sale instead as they aim to recoup funds which could help them sign Eric Garcia from Manchester City in the next couple of days.

As things stand, the Cottagers are lagging behind the Toffees' in the player's pursuit, but Romano reports that the west London outfit are hopeful of securing the defender's signature on a long-term deal.

Meanwhile, Sampdoria's Omar Colley appears as the alternative target for Steve Parker's side. The club have entered negotiations with the Serie A outfit for the 27-year-old, but no fee has been finalised.

The Cottagers have made an inauspicious start on their Premier League return and they are presently at the bottom of the standings with zero points after three games into the campaign.

The defence has been a huge let-down with 10 goals allowed and Parker is said to be desperate to improve the options at the heart of the backline before the transfer window closes for international deals on October 5.

Parker's side will be in Premier League action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the road on Sunday. They have another potentially tough outing where their defensive resolve will be tested.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com



https://sportslens.com/fulham-hoping-to-convince-jean-clair-todibo-to-join-them/317076/

[WhiteJC]

Scott Parker on his relationship with 'amazing' Tony Khan and why boxing can help Fulham survive

The head coach faces another tough task with a trip to Wolves tomorrow

Three weeks ago, on the eve of a campaign that has already seen big questions asked of Fulham as a Premier League club, Scott Parker drew a neat parallel with boxing and how for his team to survive this season they need to ensure that they absorb jabs and avoid killer blows.

Yet the past week has seen a few bruises appear, a leaky defence and run of defeats exacerbated by Tony Khan questioning the effort level of players on Twitter following the 3-0 loss at home to Aston Villa.

Another 3-0 defeat to Brentford followed on Thursday evening but Parker does not yet feel his team are up against the ropes.

"Not really, no, I'll be honest with you," he said. "From my side it's exactly how I see it. We've lost three football matches in the Premier League but there are others that have lost three as well.

"They are jabs. Along the way there's going to be a couple of knockouts. You need to take an eight count and hopefully get back up. That's what we're going to try and do until the end of the season.

"That's what my main aim is - come the end of the season, when one lands on our chin it lands on our chin. If it knocks us out, it knocks us out. Hopefully it doesn't, hopefully along the way we get a jab and get our guard up and if we are successful at the end of it we'll be a great story.

"If not then along the way I want people to look at us and this football team and say 'yeah, there's something about them that you can't hurt them.'"

The head coach has never been under illusions when it comes to how difficult Fulham, with little time to prepare and a squad always needing improvement, were going to find it in the Premier League and, to continue the theme, he delivered some more fighting talk in his press conference to preview tomorrow afternoon's trip to Wolves.

Whipping up that siege mentality is needed if the West Londoners are to defy the expectations of most people outside the club but the former central midfielder is determined to control his controllables while ignoring the noise outside.

Parker continued: "The narrative around us in this moment in time and the number one thought when people watch Fulham is that 'the last time they were in this division they spent X amount of money, they failed and they let in X amount of goals.' That's the number one thought.

"I do understand that in this moment in time we have let in some goals but not as many goals as other teams. Certainly we've lost three matches. This is what's going to happen to us this year. I said that from the outset. It wasn't made easier this week and it was perfect for you guys and to justify everything that's coming at us because of what happened.

"But for me, I can't control what everyone's writing about us. What I can control is trying to improve things and make an environment here among this team and football club and looks upon us and see us as bulletproof, even through the rough times and sticky moments there is something about this football club that you can't really break into them.

"They can fail because we can this year and we will in following years. I will and so will the players but they don't really show any weakness in that. That my main drive and our main goal. Why? Because I know how important it is going to be for me, the team, the club. That's the main drive."

While Khan's Twitter comments did not help matters, Parker describes his relationship with the director of football who is based in the United States as "amazing". Khan makes the final decision on transfers and Fulham are in desperate need of strengthening at centre back before the window closes at 11pm on Monday.

"My relationship with Tony is amazing, it is totally fine," Parker said. "Like any relationship you have with anyone of course you have different sides.

"But I don't think there was any real malice in what Tony did. Tony felt that he wanted to apologise and that's what he did, my argument to that was that he didn't have to apologise for the performance.

"If he wants to apologise for how he sees certain elements of the football club, that's fine. I just didn;t want him to aologise for the performance because no-one needs to do that at the club. The Khan family, Tony and Mr Khan, have been very supportive of everything that I have done since I have been here, and invested an amount of money."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/scott-parker-relationship-amazing-tony-19039640

[WhiteJC]

Revealed: Fulham set to blow Celtic out of the water to sign 27-yr-old

Fulham are in pole position to beat Celtic to the signing of Sampdoria defender Omar Colley after talks last night, Football Insider understands.

The Premier League club have seen multiple potential centre-back signings slip away in recent weeks as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of the Monday cut-off.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Fulham are in discussions with Sampdoria over a deal for Colley.

He has a £10.8million release clause in his contract but the west Londoners do not pay that price for the Gambia international.

Significantly, Colley is keen to move to the Premier League and that has given Fulham hope of completing a deal.

He was omitted from the Sampdoria squad for their 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Friday night after starting their first two league matches of the season.

They have been working intently on recruiting a proven centre-back but deals for the likes of Sassulo's Marlon, Huddersfield Town's Terence Kongolo, Norwich City's Ben Godfrey and Juventus' Daniele Rugani have all collapsed or failed to be agreed.

Fulham owner Tony Khan also took to Twitter on Monday night to promise the club are looking to sign a centre-back as soon as possible.

Celtic's need for a central defender is not quite so urgent, but they are looking for replacements for Kristoffer Ajer.

They could hold fire on sealing a deal until January as the Norway international, who has rejected a new Hoops contract, has not agreed an exit.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-fulham-set-to-blow-celtic-out-of-the-water-to-sign-27-yr-old/