Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 08/01/21...

[WhiteJC]

When Tottenham and Fulham is likely to be played?

With Spurs due to face Brentford in the League Cup semi-final, the threat of further fixture congestion will affect future rescheduling.

Spurs rescheduling nightmare

With the increase in the number of infections from the coronavirus pandemic causing postponements across the Premier League, there are questions as to where certain matches are going to be fitted into the busy schedule before the end of the season. Everton's match with Manchester City and Fulham's trip to Tottenham Hotspur were both postponed due to outbreaks in the Manchester and West London clubs.

With the inclusion of Spurs and Manchester City in European competition and the upcoming semi-finals of the League Cup, there is concern that matches are going to be difficult to reschedule depending on how these teams progress through their respective tournaments.

The worrying factor is that if Tottenham Hotspur progress through their League Cup semi-final against Brentford, they will have difficulty in having not only the match against Fulham rearranged but the return fixture at Craven Cottage also.

Spurs have also been given favourable draws in the FA Cup third round and Europa League last 32 against Marine and Wolfsberger respectively. The likelihood that Tottenham progress into the fourth round and last 16 of these competitions is high and therefore possible rescheduling of other matches will become more difficult.

Mourinho's biggest game

Jose Mourinho has spoken of understanding the importance of the match against Brentford in the League Cup semi-final. The Portuguese coach has stated that this is likely his biggest game as the head coach of the North London club. There is an expectation to beat the lower league side and reach another final with the chance of winning silverware for the first time in 13 years.

"I think it is my biggest game since coming to Spurs," said Mourinho. "In the perspective of the club chasing silverware for many years I would say so.

"The only thing more important than semi-finals is finals. For me every competition is important," he added. "I won what was then the Carling Cup in my first season in England in 2004/05, so for me every competition is different and does matter."

"That's my way of looking at things and especially in a club without silverware in I think more than one decade. Every competition becomes even more important. If we win two matches we win a trophy – two difficult matches of course – which I think would be a very good thing for the club and the players."

The last time Spurs won a trophy was in 2008 as they picked up the League Cup. The club has been to finals in the years since including a UEFA Champions League, but they have always seemingly failed at the final hurdle and Mourinho will be hoping to take them that one step further.



https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/when-tottenham-and-fulham-is-likely-to-be-played/

[WhiteJC]

Norwich City Under-18s fixture against Fulham rearranged

Norwich City Under-18s U18 Premier League fixture against Fulham has been rearranged.

The original fixture was due to take place on Tuesday, January 12 but has now been moved.

The match will now take place on Saturday, March 27 (12pm KO). The venue for the game, London School of Economics, remains unchanged.



https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/january/norwich-city-under-18s-fixture-against-fulham-rearranged/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen to boost Premier League survival bid with January move for Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle... and Scott Parker's side could offer deal incentivised on staying in the league

    Fulham are looking into a January deal for Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle
    Scott Parker is targeting reinforcements in attack to boost their survival hopes
    Gayle has six months remaining on his deal and could be made available now

Fulham have reignited their interest in Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle.

Gayle has just six months left on his current contract but long-standing admirers Fulham are keen to take him this month rather than wait until the summer.

They have discussed trying to persuade Newcastle with an incentivised deal that will involve a small fee now and increase if Gayle, 31, were to help keep Fulham in the Premier League this season.

   
Dwight Gayle (left) has become a leading January target for Fulham boss Scott Parker (right)

Fulham are third bottom and three points from safety but with two games in hand due to the postponement of their games against Tottenham and Burnley in the last week following a coronavirus outbreak.

They are short of striking alternatives to Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Scott Parker has opted to field a team without a recognised frontman in recent weeks when he has been unavailable.

Fulham face competition for Gayle from clubs in the Middle East, who are also monitoring his situation with his deal running out.

Qatari duo Al-Gharafa, managed by former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, and Al-Duhail, led by ex-Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi, are both keen, along with Saudi side Al-Shabab.


Parker is well aware that he is short of striking alternatives to Aleksandar Mitrovic (middle)



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9114501/Fulham-keen-January-Newcastle-striker-Dwight-Gayle.html

[WhiteJC]

Dwight Gayle targeted for January move by Fulham – 'Incentivised' deal to tempt Newcastle United

Dwight Gayle could be set to leave Newcastle United.

Reported on Tuesday afternoon that Fulham have put together a package that will tempt Newcastle to sell in January.

Fulham have been linked a number of times with the now 31 year old NUFC forward and The Mail say that their information is that the Cottagers have put together a package which has a small up front fee but significant extra bonus cash if Fulham aren't relegated. The West London club desperate to add a striker with pace this month.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of favour and has only started one Premier League match since 7 November 2020, that one game was ironically the 1-1 very lucky draw for Newcastle against 10 men Fulham.

Fulham have now moved to a far more dynamic formation and tactics which is based on pace and getting numbers forward quickly, as well as pressing the opposition as much as possible, not exactly Mitro's strengths. At times Scott Parker even playing with a 'false' number nine rather than pick the Serbian striker.

The Mail say that as well as Fulham, three from clubs in the Middle East have also made clear their interest, these being Qatari duo Al-Gharafa who are managed by former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, as well as Al-Duhail and Saudi side Al-Shabab.

Dwight Gayle turns 32 in October and as things stand, is set to leave Newcastle United at the end of June (2021) for nothing.

Steve Bruce has repeatedly talked about how much he rates Dwight Gayle and yet very rarely plays him, only 10 Premier League starts in these past 18 months Bruce has been at NUFC. Whilst he has been injured, Dwight Gayle has been named 23 times on the bench in the league by this NUFC Head Coach.

Dwight Gayle came back from injury and scored a superb header when coming off the bench against West Brom, Newcastle's last win. Yet despite that, Gayle has then been named on the bench yet again in all six (non-winning) games since, including five in the Premier League with only 39 minutes played in brief appearances.

I think a clear majority of Newcastle fans would like to see a Gayle and Wilson strike partnership given the chance but Steve Bruce seemingly sees that as far too attacking, preferring his usual ultra defensive tactics and playing the likes of Joelinton instead, who doesn't even like getting into the penalty area.

Newcastle United scored only 38 Premier League goals in 2019/20 and you have to go back to 1997/98 for when NUFC scored less than that.

Between the three of them, Carroll, Joelinton and Muto only managed two PL goals between them all last season.

Whilst in contrast, Dwight Gayle when getting his chance finally, scored four goals in the final month of last season, scored between 24 June and 26 July 2020, from six starts and two sub appearances.

Callum Wilson is an automatic choice to start but there are desperate few goals elsewhere in the squad, even though Andy Carroll came on and scored his first Premier League goal in over 33 months on Sunday.

Dwight Gayle will surely be desperate to get some football and as well as Steve Bruce not wanting to give him any starts, the striker hasn't even got off the bench these last two PL matches.

Personally, I can't see Mike Ashley allowing another contract for one of his highest paid players who Steve Bruce won't even start and who will turn 32 in October.

However, if indeed Fulham do launch this bid, then it does have an extra factor in it.

Newcastle are currently eight points ahead of third bottom Fulham but anybody who witnessed Scott Parker's team completely outplaying NUFC at St James Park, won't be too confident of finishing ahead of them, especially if they add extra goals...

If Fulham win their game in hand they would be only five points behind Steve Bruce's team, with Newcastle only five points as well off the relegation zone.

Would Mike Ashley take the money on offer up front and then risk a killer scenario of Fulham then paying up a significant cash bonus in May if the Cottagers avoided relegation, potentially with Newcastle taking their place instead in the bottom three...?

Though of course, any transfer fee and wages saved could potentially be used towards Newcastle bringing in a player that Steve Bruce would be prepared to give games to.




https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/01/dwight-gayle-targeted-for-january-move-by-fulham-incentivised-deal-to-tempt-newcastle-united/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League announce alarming rise in Covid-19 cases with 40 new positive tests

Three Premier League games have been postponed so far due to the new outbreak of Covid-19 - and a worrying surge in cases has now been confirmed

Forty positive coronavirus cases were discovered over two rounds of Premier League testing in late December and early January.

The league announced its latest figures on Tuesday afternoon which showed that of 1,311 players and club staff tested between December 28 and 31, 28 came back positive for Covid-19.

In tests on 984 players and staff carried out between January 1 and 3 there were a further 12 positives, the league said.

It is understood the bulk of the positives relate to the three postponed fixtures over the period involving Manchester City and Fulham.

City's match against Everton on December 28 was called off because of an outbreak at the Manchester club, while Fulham's games against Tottenham and Burnley on December 30 and January 3 respectively have also had to be rescheduled.

All those who tested positive must self-isolate for 10 days.

The league is understood to have held conversations with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden following the announcement of a new national lockdown on Monday night, in which the minister expressed support for the measures being taken and gave his backing for elite sport to continue.

It is understood there are ongoing discussions between the clubs and the league about ways in which the protocols can be further tightened in communal areas like training grounds and any pre-match accommodation.

There have also been a number of incidents involving Premier League players breaching coronavirus rules which everyone in society is expected to abide by.

Tottenham trio Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon were photographed at a gathering which was also attended by West Ham's Manuel Lanzini.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola defended the club's full-back Benjamin Mendy after he breached restrictions by inviting friends to his house on New Year's Eve.

"It would be better if, before we judge others, we judge ourselves," the Catalan coach said.

"Of course it was not correct what he has done, but don't judge him too much. Maybe many people have done the same. It's easy to judge others."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-announce-alarming-rise-23266121

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham eyeing Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle

Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle is reportedly a target for Fulham.

The Daily Mail say the 30-year-old is a long-term target for the Cottagers, who are keen to sign Gayle now rather than wait until his contract expires in the summer.

Apparently, Fulham officials have discussed the idea of offering an incentivised deal that would see them pay a small fee now, which would then increase if Gayle helped Fulham stay up.

Scott Parker's side are facing a relegation battle this season and has Aleksandr Mitrovic as his only recognised striker.

Fulham aren't the only side looking at Gayle; Qatari outfits Al-Gharafa and Al-Duhail are also mentioned as being keen, as well as Saudi side Al-Shabab.

Gayle has once again struggled for fitness this season, and has only made six appearances for the club so far.

His absence has meant Steve Bruce has pretty much had to rely on Callum Wilson, who has scored eight goals in 16 appearances.

Newcastle shouldn't seek to sell

Gayle may only have months remaining on his contract, but Newcastle should only seek to sell if they can get a decent replacement in.

The £40,000-a-week star (Spotrac) may still have a part to play for the Magpies come the end of the season, by which point Wilson may need to be rotated due to fatigue.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Bruce stand in the way of any potential January exit for Gayle, given the manager has often praised Gayle during his time at the club.



https://www.geordiebootboys.com/transfers/report-fulham-eyeing-newcastle-striker-dwight-gayle/

[WhiteJC]

Nottingham Forest drop hint about Anthony Knockaert's Reds future

When asked about Knockaert's future after the win at Preston, manager Chris Hughton was non-committal

Nottingham Forest have dropped a hint about Anthony Knockaert's future at the City Ground.

The French winger played the last game of his initial loan spell from Fulham in Saturday's 1-0 win at Preston North End.

His loan deal is due to expire on Thursday. When asked about Knockaert's future after Saturday's game, manager Chris Hughton was non-committal.

"We are very aware of that one," he said. "We will certainly be taking that into consideration, but at the moment there is no update."

But pictures published on the club website of the Reds players training today (Tuesday) ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Cardiff City include Knockaert, suggesting he could be poised to extend his loan spell.

The 29-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Reds since his arrival in October, scoring one goal which came in the 2-1 defeat at Norwich City last month.



https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/anthony-knockaert-nottingham-forest-fulham-4858971

[WhiteJC]

Fulham linked with Gayle move

You know the silly season is underway again when Fulham have been linked with Dwight Gayle.

The Newcastle United striker has long been rumoured to be a leading Fulham target, even before he made the move to St. James' Park. The Daily Mail suggested that Fulham's interest has resurfaced again this afternoon, with additions to their forward line – which currently consists of Aleksandar Mitrovic and very little else in terms of recognised strikers – being Scott Parker's major priority in January.

Gayle, now 32, has just six months to run on his current contract in the north east. He has slipped further down the pecking order at Newcastle after the club brought in Callum Wilson during the summer and has made just ten league starts during Steve Bruce's tenure. The former Crystal Palace forward made a scoring return from injury with a superb diving header to beat West Brom – but has had to make do with substitutes' appearances since then.

The Mail suggests that Fulham are prepared to offer a small up front fee – with a considerable additional payment should they avoid the drop this season – in order to make a January deal more attractive for Newcastle. They are not the only suitors lining up for Gayle this month, with former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic rumoured to be keen on taking the striker to the Middle East.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fulham-linked-with-gayle-move/

[filham]

If we ere to secure the signature of Gayle I wonder how Parker would use him. A straight replacement for Cav., is the obvious tactic but I would like to see a Lookman/Mitro/ Gayle front three.

[Fulham 442]

I would be very happy if we signed Gayle.  At least he knows where the goal is.

[hovewhite]

A finisher at championship level who's not had many chances and no sustained run of games at PL level so worth the risk.

[Steven Ageroad]

Nottingham Forest drop hint about Anthony Knockaert's Reds future

When asked about Knockaert's future after the win at Preston, manager Chris Hughton was non-committal

Nottingham Forest have dropped a hint about Anthony Knockaert's future at the City Ground.




The French winger played the last game of his initial loan spell from Fulham in Saturday's 1-0 win at Preston North End.

His loan deal is due to expire on Thursday. When asked about Knockaert's future after Saturday's game, manager Chris Hughton was non-committal.

"We are very aware of that one," he said. "We will certainly be taking that into consideration, but at the moment there is no update."

But pictures published on the club website of the Reds players training today (Tuesday) ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Cardiff City include Knockaert, suggesting he could be poised to extend his loan spell.

The 29-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Reds since his arrival in October, scoring one goal which came in the 2-1 defeat at Norwich City last month.



https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/anthony-knockaert-nottingham-forest-fulham-4858971

Come Thursday he could be given The Spanish Archer,  El-Bow!

[St Eve]

No to Gayle. He can't even get in a terrible Newcastle team

[alfie]

No to Gayle. He can't even get in a terrible Newcastle team

There have been plenty of players that can't get into their team, move on and do great at another club.

[St Eve]

No to Gayle. He can't even get in a terrible Newcastle team

There have been plenty of players that can't get into their team, move on and do great at another club.

True but he cannot cut it in the premiership. Decent at championship level. Also on the old side fur us

[Arthur]

We need someone to score some goals for us now. This season. This, to my mind, is the over-riding criterion. I'd rather we sign a player who needs no time to adjust to the pace and physicality of P.L. football than someone who will likely require a run of matches to get up to speed. I'm not saying Gayle has to be our man, but it would be folly, in my opinion, to sign a striker who is unlikely to do as well as Gayle in the short run - thinking the player will be the better of the two next season and beyond.

[Mickeyboro]

No to Gayle. He can't even get in a terrible Newcastle team

There have been plenty of players that can't get into their team, move on and do great at another club.

Like Mitro😂