Sunday Fulham Stuff - 29/11/20...

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Results

Friday
Palace	0-2	Newcastle

Saturday
Brighton	1-1	Liverpool
Man City	5-0	Burnley
Everton	0-1	Leeds
West Brom	1-0	Sheff Utd

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek's first season on loan at Fulham and his Chelsea future predicted

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek joined Fulham on a season-long loan on deadline day.

Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be hoping to get his career back on track this season, after securing a season-long loan move to Fulham on transfer deadline day.

The central midfielder was clearly one of Chelsea's brightest talents in the 2018/19 season, after making a huge impression on loan at Crystal Palace in the previous season, making 40 appearances and scoring ten goals in all competitions for the Blues.

However, the now 24-year-old suffered a serious injury in Chelsea’s Final Whistle on Hate charity match against New England Revolution in May 2019, rupturing his Achilles, with Loftus-Cheek not making his competitive return until June 2020.

Whilst injuries have clearly hampered his progress, the midfielder remains a player of huge talent and has started his loan spell with Fulham well, scoring his first goal for the Whites during the 3-2 defeat to Everton last weekend.

So, how will his 2020/21 season at Fulham play out? And, what will become of him in the 2021/22 season?

We used the popular football management simulation game Football Manager 2020 to have a bit of fun and find out how Ruben Loftus-Cheek's career will progress over the next two seasons.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek's next two seasons predicted
The Football Manager database currently contains data on more than 800,000 individuals and 45,000 active clubs, with data sourced from their international on the ground scouting network which numbers roughly 1,000 people, among their ranks are some who are involved in football in professional capacities, including scouts and coaches.

In addition, each annual iteration of Football Manager has built-in algorithms which check for outliers and data discrepancies. Data accuracy is further ensured by input from contributors who are active within the professional game (players, agents etc.) who provide regular feedback.

To set up this simulation, we used the Football Manager 2020 editor to arrange the transfer of Loftus-Cheek to Fulham ahead of the 2020/21 season. This is how Loftus-Cheek's player profile looks in the 2020/21 season.



We then simulated the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Premier League seasons to see what could happen.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek's season with Fulham in 2020/21

Loftus-Cheek had an impressive 2020/21 campaign at loan at the Cottagers, making 30 Premier League appearances, in which he scored six goals and registered three assists.



His performances were a massive boost to the struggling outfit, with Scott Parker's side eventually securing Premier League safety, with Loftus-Cheek playing a massive role and increasing his reputation once again.

As you can see from our simulated league table below, Fulham earned 40 points from 38 games, eventually finishing eight points ahead of Aston Villa in 18th.



This is how the best performing Fulham eleven looked according to Football Manager 2020.

Full Fulham best XI: Areola; Tete, Ream, Anderson, Bryan; Cairney, Reed; Cavaleiro, Loftus-Cheek, Knockaert; Mitrovic.

So, off the back of an impressive 2020/21 season, how would Loftus-Cheek's career progress in 2021/22?

Ruben Loftus-Cheek's 2021/22 season predicted

Despite an impressive campaign in the previous season, Loftus-Cheek couldn't force himself into Frank Lampard's first eleven in 2021/22, with the the midfielder making 11 appearances in all competitions, of which only five were starts.



When he did feature, he impressed, scoring once and registering three appearances throughout the season and earning a high average rating, but it still wasn't enough to earn him a solid run of games, as he had at Fulham.

FM 2020 predicts that a season-long loan could be incredibly beneficial for Loftus-Cheek's career, as he would get regular game time under his belt, perform well and increase his reputation in the game.

However, the simulation game also suggests that even if he does have a strong loan campaign with Fulham, the midfielder may need to leave Chelsea in 2021/22 and try to forge a career elsewhere, if he wants to play regularly and fulfil his outstanding potential.



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/ruben-loftus-cheek-chelsea-fulham-19058953

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Premier League interest emerges in Middlesbrough ace

Marcus Bettinelli is attracting interest from the Premier League after an impressive start to the season for Middlesbrough, according to the Daily Mail.

Bettinelli joined Boro on a season-long loan from Fulham in September, having fallen out of favour at Craven Cottage due to the emergence of Marek Rodak last term.

The 28-year-old has since been an ever-present for Boro under Neil Warnock, starting in each of their 13 league games so far this season.

In 13 appearances, Bettinelli has kept seven clean sheets, with Boro currently boasting the best defensive record in the division having conceded only six goals in the league this term.

After an impressive start to the season, the Daily Mail claim that Premier League sides are taking an interest in Bettinelli.

The 28-year-old will be keen to keep on impressing for Boro this season, as he looks to return to the England set-up in the future.

The Verdict

Bettinelli was unlucky to lose his place in the side at Fulham last season, but he is a quality goalkeeper who has stood out at this level before.

It’s a team effort and Boro’s defensive record isn’t just down to him, but he offers so much stability and leadership in-between the sticks which is a big thing.

If Boro keep on keeping clean sheets and picking up impressive results, then there is no reason to suggest why Bettinelli can’t be a Premier League player with or without Boro next season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/premier-league-interest-emerges-in-middlesbrough-ace/

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Leicester v Fulham: match preview

Leicester will be aiming to ride the wave of good feeling after dramatically qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League in Portgual on Thursday and follow it up with a win against Fulham. A disappointing defeat last time out will have smarted against an undermanned Liverpool. Fulham have shown more promise than those around them but that counts for little when you are in the relegation zone. More cutting edge needs to be found and crucially an end to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s alarming eight-match run without a goal. Graham Searles

Monday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League

Venue King Power Stadium

Last season n/a

Odds H 1-2 A 11-2 D 7-2

Referee Simon Hooper

This season G2 Y6 R0 3 cards/game

LEICESTER

Subs from Ward, Jakupovic, Morgan, Thomas, Albrighton, Pérez, Iheanacho, Gray, Under, Choudhury, Praet, Castagne

Doubtful None

Injured Pereira (match fitness, Dec), Soyuncu (hip, Dec), Ndidi (hip, Dec), Amartey (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y21 R0

Form LLWWWL

Leading scorer Vardy 8

FULHAM

Subs from Rodak, Fabri, Le Marchand, Ream, Hector, Odoi, Christie, Anguissa, Bryan, Kebano, Loftus-Cheek, Cavaleiro, Kamara

Doubtful None

Injured Tete (calf, 14 Dec), Kongolo (ankle, Jan)

Suspended None

Discipline Y20 R1

Form LDLWLL

Leading scorer Decordova-Reid 3




https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/28/leicester-fulham-match-preview-premier-league

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he Lowdown: Scott Parker's Improving Fulham

Leicester City welcome newly-promoted Fulham to King Power Stadium for Monday evening's return to Premier League action (5:30pm kick-off).

It has proved to be a difficult start to life back in the top-flight for Scott Parker's side, who have won just once in their opening nine matches in the Premier League.

Ahead of the encounter on Filbert Way, LCFC.com takes a closer look at the west London outfit...

The manager
Scott Parker succeeded former City boss Claudio Ranieri in February 2019 as Fulham manager, and while the London outfit were relegated from the Premier League, it took Parker just one season to regain their top-flight status.

Fulham’s 2-1 success against Brentford in the Championship Play-Off Final sealed an instant return to the Premier League, with the triumph coming courtesy of a brace from full-back Joe Bryan.

The Wembley tie went to extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes, but with 105 minutes on the clock, Bryan bent a fine free-kick into the bottom corner before adding a second with three minutes to play to earn a win in the capital.

Parker, 39, had a playing career that spanned two decades, starting at Charlton Athletic before spells at Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and, finally, Fulham, where he retired.

He was capped 18 times at senior level for England, while he has also represented his nation’s Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-21s sides on a combined 18 occasions also.

The squad
Fulham moved to strengthen their defensive ranks following promotion from the Championship by bringing in centre halves Tosin Adarabioyo (from Manchester City) and Terence Kongolo (from Huddersfield Town). The arrival of full-backs Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete further improve Parker's back-line options.

He bolstered the midfield by making Harrison Reed's loan move from Southampton a permanent one, while a host of loanees also signed for the club. Joining Reed in midfield is his former Southampton team-mate Mario Lemina, as well as Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Red Bull Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has emerged has Fulham's new No.1 following his temporary move to the Cottagers, alongside defenders Ola Aina and Joachim Andersen.

Ex-City midfielder Anthony Knockaert, meanwhile, has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, along with Cyrus Christie, while Alfie Mawson and Steven Sessegnon will spend the season with Bristol City.

A key, existing member of their current squad, Aleksandar Mitrović, scored 26 goals in the Championship to fire his side to fourth place, and eventually the Premier League.

Forward Bobby Decordova-Reid is the team's top scorer so far this season with three goals, while Mitrović (2) is the only other Fulham player to have scored more than a single goal. The Serbian international is also the Cottagers' highest assist maker, with two.

Form guide
Scott Parker's side have lost their last two fixtures by a one-goal margin, suffering defeats at the hands of West Ham (1-0) and Everton (2-3).

Although they did pick up their first league win and only clean sheet of the season earlier in November, beating fellow newly promoted side West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

Earlier losses to Arsenal, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers have left the Londoners in the bottom three, on four points from nine games.

Previous encounters
The last Premier League meeting between the two sides at King Power Stadium came on 9 March, 2019, when Leicester triumphed 3-1 with goals from Youri Tielemans and Floyd Ayite followed by Jamie Vardy's late brace, to secure Brendan Rodgers' first three points as City manager.

It was a memorable day, in particular, for Vardy, who scored his 100th goal for the Football Club in all competitions.

The result left Fulham in the drop zone, 13 points from safety and they would be relegated at the end of the 2019/20 under then interim manager, Scott Parker.

The trophy cabinet
One of Fulham’s most memorable runs to a cup final saw them draw with AS Roma in the group stages of the newly-formed 2009/10 UEFA Europa League, before they beat 2009 winners Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 32 over two legs.

They then remarkably dismissed Italian giants Juventus over two legs in the Round of 16, producing a phenomenal comeback to win 4-1 at Craven Cottage in the second match against a side that included Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.

After a quarter-final success against VfL Wolfsburg and a win against Hamburger SV in the last-four, they were eventually beaten by Atlético Madrid in extra-time in Hamburg following a brace from Diego Forlán.

Atléti’s side on the day included David de Gea, Raúl García and Sergio Agüero, while future Foxes Mark Schwarzer and Paul Konchesky played for Roy Hodgson's side.

Meanwhile, Fulham have won two second tier and third tier titles, the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2002 and were runners-up in the 1975 FA Cup Final, where they lost out to West Ham at Wembley in front of an attendance of 100,000 people.

The stadium
They play their home games at the characterful Craven Cottage, which has been Fulham's home since 1896. The ground's record attendance of 49,335 came in October 1938 for a fixture against Millwall.

On the banks of the River Thames, it is one of the most scenic and traditional grounds in the Premier League, previously hosting rugby league side Fulham RLFC and several international fixtures involving the USA, Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

The stadium is currently being expanded to hold 30,000 fans, adding 5,000 more seats than the previous capacity. This is through the development of the 'main' Riverside Stand.

Upcoming fixtures
Following their trip to King Power Stadium, the Cottagers face another away fixture on Saturday 5 December (3pm kick-off), at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

Fulham then welcome Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion to Craven Cottage for back-to-back home games on Sunday 13 December (4:30pm kick-off) and Wednesday 16 December (8pm kick-off) respectively.

After that, Newcastle United (A), Southampton (H) and Tottenham Hotspur (A) complete December's busy Premier League schedule.

All times GMT.



https://www.lcfc.com/news/1915773/the-lowdown-scott-parkers-improving-fulham

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'We Have To Be A Bit More Nasty' - Adarabioyo Tells Fulham What They Are Missing

Former Manchester City youth team captain Tosin Adarabioyo dreamt of playing in the English Premier League and has already made five appearances to date for Fulham after cementing his place in the starting lineup.

The Cottagers coached by Scott Parker have not had a good run ahead of their trip to King Power Stadium on Monday, losing seven of their opening nine games in the division and are back in the relegation places.

Of the seven matches lost by the Cottagers, they were beaten by a single-goal margin, against Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Everton.

Adarabioyo believes that Fulham have not been able to potentially turn the couple of narrow defeats into draws or wins because they lack aggression.

On what Fulham are missing, Adarabioyo told Fulham's YouTube page : "I think we just have to be a bit more nasty as a team, and slowly focus on getting the job done.

"I'd rather get the job done than playing poorly, than play well and not get the points that we need. 

"We all just know we need to be ruthless defending our goal and getting at the opposition's, we all know that's what we need to do."

Adarabioyo is aware he should not switch off in Monday's evening clash against Leicester City who are deadly on the counter attack and have in their ranks the current Premier League Golden Boot winner in Jamie Vardy.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=38158

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Scott Parker not easing off as Fulham approach punishing run of fixtures

Scott Parker refuses to view Fulham’s upcoming run of tough fixtures as ‘free hits’.

The struggling Cottagers face three of the last four Premier League champions in successive matches, with Monday’s trip to Leicester followed by a visit to Manchester City and a home meeting with holders Liverpool.

Fulham picked up just one point from their six games against the same teams when they were last in the Premier League two seasons ago.

But Craven Cottage boss Parker insisted: “You can’t sit here thinking the next three games are a write-off, and let’s just try to get out of here without too much punishment.

“They are tough games, but history tells me that if you do things the right way you can get something.

“If you apply yourself, do the basics well, and ride a little bit of luck along the way, you can get results.

“We’re competing with the big heavyweights who have had financial backing for many years. It’s going to be difficult.

“That’s not to say we don’t have the quality to stay up, and we’re going to try our hardest to do that.

“Leicester have a lot of quality in their ranks, and we understand it will be a tough game.

“But these are challenges we look forward to – this is why we worked so relentlessly to get out of the Championship, to play in these matches.

“Do I believe we can stay in this division? One million percent I do.”

Aboubakar Kamara is back from suspension to boost Fulham’s firepower at Leicester, but defender Kenny Tete is still working his way back from a calf problem.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-not-easing-off-as-fulham-approach-punishing-run-of-fixtures-1606564230000

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Scott Parker must omit Aboubakar Kamara on Monday

Fulham travel to Leicester City on Monday night hoping to pick up their first three away points of the season and although he has now served his suspension, Scott Parker must omit Aboubakar Kamara from his squad.

The French striker was sent off in Fulham’s 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace earlier this season but is available for selection against the Foxes on Monday.

However, Parker must send a message to the attacker by omitting him from his squad for the Premier League fixture, as he has proved he is unreliable on too many occasions now.

Since joining from Amiens SC in 2017, the 25-year-old has made 86 appearances for the Cottagers, in which he has contributed 17 goals and six assists (per Transfermarkt).

He has been sent off four times in his career, with two of those coming at Fulham, which is a poor disciplinary record for someone who really shouldn’t be making too many tackles as an attacker.

In January of last year, the forward was arrested after an incident at Motspur Park, after he travelled to the training ground hoping to discuss his future with the club after he was dropped to the U23s (per The Guardian).

The forward was also criticised by former manager Claudio Ranieri in 2018 after he stopped designated penalty taker Aleksandar Mitrovic from taking a penalty in the 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town, which he then missed (per BBC Sport).

Ranieri suggested that:

“I said to Aboubakar Kamara to leave the ball to Aleksandar Mitrovic, he is the man who shoots the penalties. It is unbelievable, he did not respect me, the club, the team and crowd. I spoke with him, it is not right.

“I wanted to kill him, that is normal when one man takes a ball, only because he scored the last penalty (against Manchester United). It should be Mitrovic. That is it.” (per Evening Standard)

Therefore, Kamara has clearly caused a lot of trouble at Fulham in recent seasons and considering he has contributed no goals in five Premier League appearances this season, averaging a shocking 5.77 rating (per WhoScored), Parker should omit him from Monday’s squad and consider selling him permanently in January.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-news/scott-parker-aboubakar-kamara-fulham-leicester-city

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Why did Fulham star Bobby Reid change his name?

Fulham forward Bobby Decordova-Reid was on target for the Cottagers during their 3-2 Premier League defeat to Everton. Some matchday commentators have been referring to the Jamaican international using his former surname, Reid. So, why did Bobby Reid change his name? Let’s find out.

Why did Fulham star Bobby Reid change his name?
Why did Fulham star Bobby Reid change his name? The forward formally changed it in October 2018 while at Cardiff City.

Reid confirmed on Twitter the name change on the back of his shirt is a tribute to his mother.

Decordova is his mother’s maiden name.

The 27-year-old wanted everyone to know his mother has dedicated so much time and hard work to further his football career.

For everyone asking about the name change on the back of my shirt😂... Decordova is my mums surname and wanted represent her after the hard work she’s done for me 👌🏾❤️

— Bobby Decordova-Reid (@bobbyreid93) August 18, 2018

Reid: ‘Pay her back’

In an interview with Wales Online, the then-Cardiff winger opened up about his humble beginnings. He mentioned how his mother didn’t drive, but would take four buses with him to attend training.

He said: “I grew up with my mum. She was a single parent. I had to get four buses with her to training because she didn’t drive at the time.”

“I wanted to pay her back”, he explained, “by putting her name on my shirt in the Premier League. She can watch me running around on the pitch with her name on my back on the biggest stage.”

Decordova-Reid revealed he was estranged from his father.

He said: “I don’t talk to my dad. We’re not in contact. So it’s nice to give my mum something she deserves.”

He also insisted one day he intends to have his mother’s name alone on the back of his shirt.

“I had to time it right and not do Decordova straight away, which is why I thought to double-barrel it and eventually one day maybe just have Decordova.”

Decordova-Reid’s career

The Bristol-born talent began his football career in the city of his birth, emerging from the academy at the Robins.

He spent seven years at Bristol City, while he also had loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic and Plymouth Argyle.

Choosing to represent Jamaica through his family ties, Decordova-Reid joined Cardiff in summer 2018. He helped the side in the Premier League, before joining the Cottagers the following summer, initially on loan.

The winger switched to the west London club permanently in January. He recorded 44 Championship appearances for the side overall, including three in the play-offs as Fulham won promotion to the Premier League.

Decordova-Reid also received his senior international call-up in September 2019. He scored on his debut against Antigua & Barbuda and has won five caps so far.



https://www.thefocus.news/football/why-did-bobby-reid-change-his-name/

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Leicester City handed triple injury boost ahead of Fulham clash

Latest Leicester City injury news ahead of the Premier League clash with Fulham on Monday evening as the fixtures start coming thick and fast for Brendan Rodgers' men

Brendan Rodgers has issued an injury update ahead of Monday's clash with with Fulham.

City are back in Premier League action when they host Scott Parker's Whites in a couple of day's time.

Fresh from their European exertions in midweek, Rodgers' men face a short week with another trip abroad looming on Thursday.

City travel to Ukraine to face Zorya Luhansk on Thursday (5.55pm) having already qualified for the next round of the Europa League after the 3-3 draw with Braga in midweek.

That has lifted the pressure from City's remaining couple of European games and that allows Rodgers to give much-needed game time to his returning stars.

Ricardo Pereira (knee), Wilfred Ndidi (adductor) and Caglar Soyuncu (adductor) are all set to be back in the squad for the Luhansk trip.

Timothy Castagne, whom Rodgers said last week would be returning from a hamstring injury for Fulham, now looks set to miss out.

"It'll be the same squad," (as Braga) Rodgers said.

"Some of the other boys are back training.

"We have Ricardo, Wilf and Caglar, those three we are hopeful of getting some game-time in Luhansk when we go for our next European fixture.

"So that's great news for us going into a busy period but otherwise we are pretty much the same squad."

City have been hit by injury woes early on in the season with European games added to the schedule.

Beginning with Fulham, City face the prospect of nine games within a month.

"To be honest it's been no different really in terms of having lots of games in that period," Rodgers continues.

"In that month, you're having up to eight or nine games.

"The games close together are obviously going to be a tough ask for us but the players have been outstanding in their work.

"They've known that this what what we said right from the start of the season.

"You have to be ready every day, recover well and have to adapt this year with European football.

"We are really enjoying the European experience and then knowing you have to come back and be right on it physically and mentally in the League games.

"I think the players have, up until this point. shown they are coping with that and have adapted to it really well.

"You have to retain that humility, you can never think because it's going well in Europe and you have qualified that in the next game you can be anything less than 100 per cent.

"The players know that and we will be ready for Fulham."



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-injury-news-fulham-4746684

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Vardy To Lead The Line | 3-4-2-1 Leicester City Predicted Lineup Vs Fulham

Leicester City will entertain Fulham at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening hoping to pick up a victory at home. The Foxes were held to a 3-3 draw away at Braga in the UEFA Europa League earlier this week, so they will be desperate to return to winning ways versus the Cottagers.

Brendan Rodgers is expected to go with the 3-4-2-1 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first-team for this upcoming Premier League encounter at the East Midlands. Jamie Vardy will once again spearhead the Leicester attack up top after being rested in midweek.

3-4-2-1 Leicester City Predicted Lineup To Face Fulham

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel will operate in goal for Rodgers’ side despite shipping in six goals in his past two starts across all competitions. Leicester could choose to go with a back three of Christian Fuchs, Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana as they look to keep things solid at the back on Monday.

However, the defensive trio will have to figure out a way to keep Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović quiet throughout the 90 minutes.

Midfield

Youri Tielemans will partner Nampalys Mendy at the centre of the park as they look to dominate the midfield battle in their home ground. Luke Thomas and James Justin will have to provide some natural width out on the flanks as they operate as the free-flowing wing-backs.

James Maddison could get the licence to operate as an attacking midfielder from the left while Harvey Barnes looks to assume a similar role on the right. They would both have to figure out a way to create some decent chances for Vardy up top.

Hamza Choudhury will make up the numbers on the Leicester bench as he awaits his opportunity to shine as an impact substitute if needed. However, Timothy Castagne is a significant doubt for this contest as he has a hamstring problem.

Attack

As mentioned earlier, Jamie Vardy will get the responsibility to lead the charge for the Foxes down the middle. He got a rest in midweek and failed to register a goal versus Liverpool last weekend. We can expect the English marksman to be eager to find the back of the net on Monday.

Kelechi Iheanacho will have to settle for a spot on the bench but could come on to influence the game in the latter stages if required.

https://the4thofficial.net/2020/11/vardy-to-lead-the-line-3-4-2-1-leicester-city-predicted-lineup-vs-fulham/

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'I'm not the owner...only he can decide that': Scott Parker brushes off concerns over Shahid Khan's track record of letting managers go as Fulham sit inside the relegation zone ahead of tricky run of fixtures

    Fulham sit inside the relegation zone on four points after their first nine games
    Scott Parker's side have a tricky run of games starting on Monday with Leicester
    Fulham owner Shahid Khan has said farewell to eight managers since 2013
    Parker displays no immediate concerns that he could be the ninth to leave

Fulham owner Shahid Khan has said farewell to eight managers since he bought the club in 2013 and Scott Parker has no intention of becoming the ninth name on the American's hit list – just yet.

Former England international Parker has shone in his first managerial role, leading Fulham back into the Premier League this summer.

But he takes his side to Leicester on Monday night rooted in the relegation zone with only one win this season and the worst defensive record in the top flight.


Scott Parker doesn't show off any signs of concerns despite Fulham's start to the season
 

Owner Shahid Khan has a track record of letting managers go since he took over the club

Parker comes over confidently and not remotely under pressure nine games into the season, but he is aware of Khan's track record – despite their magnificent working relationship.

He explained: 'I can't answer how the chairman is but, in terms of our relationship, it is spot on. With the chairman (Shahid Khan) and (Khan's son) Tony, the dialogue is constant.'

With Leicester followed by games against Manchester City and Liverpool, there is every chance Khan will see little more for his investment in the next week or two.

And Parker is aware of the threat. He added: 'That's down to one individual, how they see the football club and how they want their football club to move forward.

'I'm not the owner. Only he can decide that. If he feels and understands where we are this year, the things we are doing and where that can lead us then, hopefully, we become stronger for that.
 

Things don't get easier for Parker with Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool coming up

'He'll make those decisions, of course. I understand that in my position. First and foremost we have to try and win games.'

Parker's ambition is to re-establish Fulham as a Premier League club, not unlike Leicester, and help Khan achieve stability on the bank of the river Thames.

'In my head - it's not down to me - of course, I want a bigger project and that bigger vision, to set some boundaries and pathways.

'He's been in tenure for eight years, he's probably had about eight or nine managers.

'But listen, that's down to the owner. I have the full support from the owner.

'But, like in any walk of life, it's down to the owner when they feel like we are no longer progressing - or, certainly in their eyes, that it's not progressing. And I am sure that's the same here.'
 

Fulham sit 19th in the table after taking just four points from their opening nine fixtures

Facing Parker in the opposing dug out will be Brendan Rodgers, a youth coach at Chelsea when he was a player there. They last met as managers in March 2019, both in the second matches of their new roles.

Leicester won and Fulham ended up going down, but Parker argues things have changed since then.

He said: 'It IS different because it's another group of players. I can't remember exactly the line-up the last time we played Leicester but I don't think we're talking about the same players.

This is another new team. What comes with new teams and new players is that time to work out where we're vulnerable, where we need to improve and then to work out exactly what is acceptable under me, what isn't, and how we want to play.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8997231/Scott-Parker-brushes-concerns-Shahid-Khans-track-record-letting-managers-go.html

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Leicester Matchday Preview

Leicester City v Fulham | King Power Stadium | Monday 30th November 2020 | 5.30pm | #LEIFUL
The opposition

    This season has seen Leicester continue their good progress under Brendan Rodgers’ stewardship, and they go into match week 10 in fourth spot, just two points behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
    The Foxes were in European action on Thursday, securing the point they needed away to Braga to secure their spot in the next round of the Europa League. They did it the hard way, though, coming from behind three times, with Jamie Vardy making it 3-3 in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
    Monday will be just our seventh Premier League meeting with Leicester. The first two ended in goalless draws, while Fulham won both 2003/04 fixtures by a 2-0 scoreline. Two seasons ago, Aboubakar Kamara earned us a point at the Cottage, but we were defeated 3-1 at the King Power.

Leicester team news

Influential right-back Ricardo has been out since March, and recently made his comeback from an ACL injury in a development squad game, although Monday will probably come too soon for the Portuguese. Timothy Castagne has missed the last month but could return against the Whites, although fellow defender Caglar Soyuncu misses out. Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is also unlikely to be risked.

Fulham team news

Kamara is back having served a three-game ban. Kenny Tete is back in training but Scott Parker will approach his return to action with caution.

Coverage

The match will be televised live on Sky Sports. Club commentary from Gentleman Jim & Jamie Reid will be available to FFCtv subscribers.

Player insight

Ruben Loftus-Cheek thinks Fulham are pretty close to getting the results that their performances deserve.

“We’ve got an underlying confidence that we will soon start to get wins,” he told FFCtv. “Now it’s just a process of tweaking things, because the foundation is there.

“We play some really good football, and I think we just need to kind of piece everything together to get the results.”

Form

Leicester: WWWLD

Fulham: DLWLL

Pre-match quotes

“We know it’s going to be a tough game. You’ve seen they’ve had a tough start to the season, so they’re going to be desperate to get a result against us.”

Harvey Barnes
Leicester winger

“Leicester are a good team, a very positional team. They’ve shown a different way to them a bit this year.”

Scott Parker
Fulham Head Coach

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/november/Leicester-Matchday-Preview/

[whitejc]

Fulham keeper ‘will have to play out of his skin’, says Parker

Scott Parker has piled the pressure on his goalkeeper by insisting he “needs to play out of his skin” to help keep Fulham in the Premier League.

Alphonse Areola has won a heap of praise for a string of saves that has cemented him as first name on the current teamsheet.

That accolade might have been shared with Aleksandar Mitrovic until last Sunday – but even 2019-20’s Championship Golden Boot winner had to take a seat on the bench against Everton.

Areola is on loan from Paris St-Germain with an option to buy, and quickly relegated last season’s main keeper, Marek Rodak, to the subs’ list.

The head coach believes his new keeper’s form will be crucial in the hard months ahead.

“Keepers with clubs down the bottom of the league see a lot of action, and at the end of the season they’re the ones who get a lot of praise,” Parker said.

“In Alphonse we have a keeper with great quality, who at times is going to have to keep us in games.

“He’s going to have to play out of his skin at times with big saves and show everyone his quality.

“At West Ham, (his performance) comes to mind. He’s a big personality and I think he can improve on that in a new country and a new culture.

“He comes in every day with a real team-ethic of where we can get better – and he’s fully focused and wants to win.

“You know what you’re getting from someone who’s been PSG and Real Madrid. He knows what world class looks like and what it takes to get it.”



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-keeper-will-have-to-play-out-of-his-skin-says-parker

[filham]

Aguissa omitted from the line up given in the Telegraph yesterday and in the line up by Whitejc above, he has been a force for us in most matches, is he injured.

[hovewhite]

Aguissa omitted from the line up given in the Telegraph yesterday and in the line up by Whitejc above, he has been a force for us in most matches, is he injured.

Surprised at his ommision think he must be injured.

[Mullers OG]

Areola has been a star performer this season. It required a stand out keeper to supplant Rodak after last season and Areola has proved to be just that. Whether he expected to be quite so busy must be doubtful. He has our porous defence for giving him so much practice.

Shame we couldn’t find a striker of the same class.