Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 09/12/20...

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Report: Liverpool given massive fitness boost in injury update by James Pearce

Liverpool's Alisson could return to action against Fulham, according to a report in the Athletic.

The Brazilian goalkeeper is said to be responding well to treatment, and his return is now imminent.

If Alisson does make it back in time to face Fulham he will surely be thrown straight back into Jurgen Klopp's starting line-up as he is such a key player for them.

Liverpool have actually coped very well in Alisson's absence, though, as young goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has come in and seized his opportunity.

Kelleher has kept a clean sheet in Liverpool's last two games – against Ajax and Wolves – and has looked assured in everything that he has done.

Alisson's return to Liverpool's team remains a major boost, though, as their backline starts to regain some sense of normality.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made it off the treatment table to feature in Liverpool's last game against Wolves, and with Alisson back, Klopp's side will start to look much stronger defensively again.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/12/08/report-liverpool-given-massive-fitness-boost-in-injury-update-by-james-pearce/

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Christmas Auction

Fulham FC Foundation are holding an online Christmas auction to raise important funds to support the work they do in community.

There are some amazing auction items on offer, including a number of unique signed FFC shirts, the match ball from the Fulham v Liverpool Premier League fixture and match worn kit from Fulham's 2018 Championship Play-Off Final win!

The auction will also have some incredible experiences up for grabs such as private dining at the chef's table in Gordon Ramsey's Lucky Cat and an overnight stay at the world-famous Turnberry, with two rounds of golf included.

You will have the opportunity to bid on these items until 8pm on Sunday the 20th December.
SUPPORT FULHAM FC FOUNDATION

The proceeds raised from these auction items will be invested into Fulham FC Foundation's solution-focused projects, tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our community today, such as social isolation and health inequalities.

Fulham FC Foundation have been working hard to adapt their services to support the community in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the past six months this has included the provision of over 3,000 meals to people in the local community, contacting over 1,600 vulnerable people locally through telephone befriending service, and delivering over 500 hours of online learning/support through their health, disability and inclusion programmes.
GET BIDDING AND WIN

Getting involved is really easy. Head to the link below and start bidding!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/december/Christmas-Auction/

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Report: Alisson Becker could return in time for Fulham clash

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker could return to action as early as Sunday for the Reds' Premier League clash against Fulham, reports The Athletic.

The Brazilian goalkeeper – who joined the Reds from Roma in a £67 million [Sky Sports] deal in 2018 – is said to be responding well to treatment following a hamstring injury that has seen him miss Liverpool's previous two matches.

Liverpool have coped admirably in the absence of their irreplaceable No.1 with Caoimhin Kelleher filling in between the sticks for Alisson.

The 22-year-old Irishman has kept a clean sheet in both his Champions League and Premier League debuts in victories against Ajax and Wolves.

He has stepped up immeasurably for his team and his calm and assured performances have certainly enhanced his prospects as Liverpool's No.2 goalkeeper.

Alisson's imminent return to the Liverpool first-team remains a major boost, however, as their backline looks to regain some sense of normality and consistency.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his long-awaited return from a calf-injury during the 4-0 victory against Wolves on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Joel Matip and Fabinho are beginning to establish maintained partnership in the heart of the defence, with the Reds duo starting together in three of Liverpool's previous four matches.

Andy Robertson has been arguably Liverpool's most outstanding player of the 2020/21 campaign and has remained the most durable. He has clocked 1444 worth of action for the Reds this season – more than any other player.



https://www.rousingthekop.com/2020/12/08/report-alisson-becker-could-return-in-time-for-fulham-clash/

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Fulham 'considering' surprise move for Newcastle United flop...and Bruce is also a fan – Report

It seems that silly season and the January sales are starting early if The Mirror is to be believed.

They are reporting that Fulham are weighing up a move for Nabil Bentaleb after he was banished (again!) at Schalke and forced to train with their juniors for the second time in 12 months.

The same report says we're also in the mix and that Bruce remains a fan of the Algerian's, but can anyone really believe that after the performances he put in for us during his previous 15 game spell earlier this year?

Personally, I somehow doubt we are interested in bringing him back unless of course Mr Bruce is pushing for it. But surely even he can't believe he could still get a tune out of a player that has seriously lost his way.

What's the point? Jeff Hendrick came in and replaced him. Even if he hasn't pulled up many trees, I feel we have way too many average CM's to be bringing in another one that won't improve the squad but merely add to the mediocrity.

Also, when we did consider making the deal permanent, another of the stumbling blocks, if his inability to affect a game wasn't enough, was that he's on big wages.

Even if we were offered him for nothing and he agreed a huge drop in wages I wouldn't have him back and I suspect I'd be in the majority view camp on that one. It just doesn't make any sense for us. But then when was the last time NUFC was run on sense!

But it would be classic Fulham and would also show they haven't learned from their mistakes. The last time they were promoted they brought in too many well-paid luxury players and that didn't go too well for them.

Or perhaps it's a masterstroke of a plan from Bruce. Pretend we're interested and get someone below us in the league to blow a packet on a player that hardly has set anything alight in the last few seasons!

I just hope for our sakes this is not the type of signing we're targeting in January.



https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/12/08/fulham-considering-surprise-move-for-newcastle-united-flop-and-bruce-is-also-a-fan-report/

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Bristol City injuries: Alfie Mawson returns from Fulham as Nathan Baker starts light training

Robins are not expecting anyone back until January but reinforcements are on the way.

Slowly but surely - in the main part - Bristol City's injured players are edging closer to a playing return.

Alfie Mawson has come back to the South West after returning to Fulham briefly and seeing a specialist regarding his knee injury. The 27-year-old's return to the West County, even if it is only to start light training is welcome news at the Failand traning ground, as is the return of fellow centre-back Nathan Baker, who has been out on the grass for the first time since his hamstring tear last August.

Neither player is expected back into the first-team fold until January, but that is not so far away.

Fellow Fulham loanee Steven Sessegnon is also in the initial stages of rehab and is due back in the new year too.

"Yes, Alfie is [back at Ashton Gate]. He spent the initial period with Fulham. He got checked out by the specialist down in London and he's back with us now," confirmed Dean Holden to Bristol Live on Tuesday afternoon.

"He's in light rehab at the moment. Sess [Sessegnon] is with us as well. Nathan Baker was out on the grass today for the first time today doing some light work as the first part of his rehabilitation, which is a big boost for him.

"Everyday we're edging closer to getting some of those guys back," said Holden who is expecting 'five to six players' to possibly return next month.

Jamie Paterson is unlikely to feature against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday however, with an ongoing knee complaint.

City are looking for a second win in seven matches on their own pitch, but they face the most in-form team in the league next.

"We're pretty much as we were for the last squad for the Birmigham game. Jamie Paterson is still suffering from pain from this hip issue that's ongoing really," explained Holden.

"It's not an uncommon niggle - for footballers it's a pretty common thing.

"He's just managing the pain day to day and we'll see where he's at with his pain management and he's doing some rehabilitation to strengthen up that area. Other than that we'll be as we are," explained the head coach.

An important game against Blackburn Rovers now follows, who sit one place lower in the Championship table than City currently.

Holden is hoping to get through the next games before having his squad boosted in the new year.

"Some of them will feel like new signings. Joe Williams, we haven't seen him yet unfortunately and Liam Walsh is going to be a big part of the plans once we can get him back," the head coach explained.

"As we edge towards January, and it won't be New Year's Day that we get them back, it will be a period throughout January, and we we might get a few back early in February.

"But we're hoping that we can get a majority of the guys back."



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-injuries-alfie-mawson-4779338

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Liverpool midfielder could reportedly make comeback against Fulham

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could reportedly make his return from injury on Sunday against Fulham in the Premier League.

Journalist Paul Gorst claims that Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to Liverpool training this week and could make his comeback against Fulham, but the Champions League match against Midtjylland on Wednesday night is too soon for him.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has not made an appearance for Liverpool since playing in the 3-1 win against Newcastle at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Oxlade-Chamberlain's return could give Jurgen Klopp more options in several areas of the pitch. The midfielder can play across the midfield and front three, whilst he has also played at right-back earlier in his career, and that could allow Klopp to rotate his first XI as and when he sees fit. So, Klopp could bring in Oxlade-Chamberlain to rest Mo Salah on the right-wing, but he could also put him into the XI to rest Gini Wijnaldum or Jordan Henderson in the midfield.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold also just coming back from injury and James Milner out, Oxlade-Chamberlain could also offer Liverpool another option at right-back. Neco Williams is only 19 and could struggle to maintain form over a longer period of time if Trent suffered another injury, which is another positive of Oxlade-Chamberlain's potential return as he could provide cover in that position.

It could be useful to give Oxlade-Chamberlain the last 20-25 minutes against Fulham, if Liverpool are winning comfortably, to help get him back up to match sharpness before throwing him in from the start. Hopefully, Liverpool's injury problems start to clear up and Klopp can have more options to pick from each match across all competitions.




https://www.anfieldwatch.co.uk/liverpool-midfielder-could-reportedly-make-comeback-against-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Josh Onomah could be Scott Parker's secret weapon in 2021 – Our View

We're just three weeks away from the January transfer window opening, and one side who may be tempted to dip into the market this winter is Fulham.

The Cottagers sit in a precarious position at the moment, with just one point separating them from the relegation zone, and a influx of talent in January could be just what the doctor ordered at Craven Cottage.

However, luckily for Fulham, they may not need to spend a penny to add a new dynamic to their squad in January.

Indeed, the Whites have a player at the club who can come into the squad to make an impact.

In fact, Fulham have a number of players who could come into the squad in January with the likes of Stefan Johansen, Jean-Michael Seri and Kevin McDonald all currently not in Scott Parker's 25-man squad, but the man we're talking about today is Josh Onomah.

You would be forgiven for forgetting that Onomah is a Fulham player, after all, he's not been seen in the league since the Whites' 4-3 loss to Leeds United at Elland Road, but that's been due to an injury that saw him left as an unregistered player for the first portion of the season.

However, with Onomah due to return in the coming weeks, he could soon find himself back in that 25-man squad once the registration window re-opens in January, and that could be a big boost for Fulham from an attacking sense.

Now, we're not going to argue that Onomah will single-handedly keep Fulham up, he was rather abysmal in his first two Premier League appearances of the season.

There is certainly a player in there, with Tony Khan stating that his statistical system ranks him on par with £25 million man Ryan Sessegnon.

He will bring something a little different to the midfield, and when he's feeling confident he has the talent and physical attributes to cause any defence a problem.

Onomah is a 6 ft 2 midfielder who is also an incredibly technical dribbler, and late in games where Fulham need to break a team down, he's the perfect type of player who will bring something unpredictable.

Just look at how he carved Cardiff apart in the playoff semi-finals last year, he beat four men in the box before slotting home as if he was prime Lionel Messi.

Factor in the that he could end up partnering one of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa or Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the middle of the park and you have a physical, energetic and dynamic midfield that can hold their own against any side on their day.

Onomah certainly isn't the answer to all of Fulham's problems, but there's every chance he can come in and earn the London outfit a few extra points in their bid for survival, and that's as good as any new signing.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/12/08/josh-onomah-could-be-scott-parkers-secret-weapon-in-2021-our-view/