Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 19/01/21...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Monday
Arsenal	3-0	Newcastle

[WhiteJC]

Jack and Loz Not at the Cottage - Blog 159

Date: 16th January 2021

Opposition: C*****a

Score: 0-1

MOTM (football): to misquote the poet, "If you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs....you'll be a Captain." As usual, Joachim Andersen was superb at the heart of defence. Our soft centre has hardened making us much less appetising to the 'big' clubs and Joachim is the mainstay of that. It's easy to lead and organise when things are going well but in the second half, with our backs against the wall, Joachim redoubled his efforts and almost inspired the team to a clean sheet.

MOTM (non-football): RIP Tosh Chamberlain

Snacks: Loz - G&T and cheese and onion crisps; Jack - pizza and pouilly fume

Of all the matches at the Cottage that are taking place behind closed doors, this is the one which the fans really wanted to go to. That extra buzz around SW6, the tightening of the atmosphere under the lights, turning up the volume of the singing as we tell the C*****a fans where they can put their blue flag.

But of course that couldn't happen and the players had to face the old enemy alone. This was always going to be an important match, partly because of the opposition but also because of our 6 game unbeaten run and our urgent need for points.

As with the Spurs match, this was a tale of two managers: of class, humility, courtesy and dapper dress sense versus iniquity, dilettantism, entitlement and an expanding waist line. It is was a tale of two clubs too, each of which reflect their current managers with uncanny accuracy. Fulham rarely beat our newer, brasher neighbours on the pitch but we are better than them in every other way.

Usually in a football match there are critical periods and lulls in the action but in this game there were 3 crucial events and lots of background noise:-

1. Cav's miss. We have sung Cav's praises recently. He has stepped up from Championship understudy to Premier League frontman. His goal against Spurs was brilliant and all season he has demonstrated a work ethic and commitment second to none. But Cav isn't a striker and, as his glaring miss demonstrates, he isn't a bona fide Premier League attacker either. The play which led to the chance was superb, particularly from Bobby and Kenny, and it deserved a neat finish. The fact of the matter is, Fulham don't get many chances. When we do, we have to take them.

2. The red card. We aren't going to rehash the debate here. Suffice to say, it was a rash challenge but not a dangerous one, sometimes a red card is given in that situation and sometimes it isn't. What didn't help the situation was the unprofessional attitude of the C*****a player. We thought the air ambulance was going to have to land on the pitch and the match be suspended while life saving treatment was given. Instead, he was magically cured but the sight of the red card, allowed to continue and attempt to pull the same stunt on Lookman in the second half

3. The C*****a goal. It wasn't a particularly good one but they still count unfortunately.

Around these moments are the context of the match. This was the third game in seven days for a team which is still feeling the combined effects of Covid itself and a lack of training. Frank is still not back to his best, the link up play wasn't as sharp as usual and the subs looked exhausted after ten minutes running.

Nevertheless, we gave as good as we got in the first half, defending well, particularly against C*****a's endless corners and looking fluid and dangerous on the counter. For much of the second half we were hanging in there more than hanging on but 45 minutes was simply too long to hold out against a sustained attack with too few outlets to relieve the pressure. The forwards did their best with Lookman constantly driving forwards despite being flung in all directions by the C******a defence.

What was impressive about the match, despite the extremely frustrating result was the never say die attitude of the players. They didn't give up, or park the bus or turn on each other. They fought to the end. Even with 10 men we looked compact, composed and unflustered. At the end, despite the chill of the January evening, the players were all sweating as if sprinting in a desert reflecting the tremendous effort they'd put in – and their resolution and character.

We were surprised that Scott didn't make the subs earlier particularly when Cav was clearly tired and giving the ball away all the time and when Joe Bryan was an obvious replacement for Robinson but, as we mentioned above, none of the subs looked fit enough to make an impact. Scott and his team desperately need to regroup before the next match which is only 4 days away and is only against Manchester United.....

The managers' reactions at final whistle said it all – extreme relief for Fat Frank and deep disappointment for Scott but that was disappointment with the result not with his team. He knows, as we do, that this is a team to be proud of. This is a team which will fight all the way.

Random musings:-

- The tribute to Tosh Chamberlain and the sign stating proudly that he was Forever Fulham were fitting and poignant

- what must the C*****a training ground look like on an average day? The whole place littered with players writhing on the ground as they rehearse tactics

- also, what sort of names do those players have? One sounds like a character from a Jilly Cooper novel while another is named after a fridge

- and finally their hair: Giroud had clearly had an accident with his clippers while Lampard has taken to home colouring and its not going well

- don't get us started on the embarrassingly poor and biased commentary from sky. It was stale and patronising yet again. Since when have Fulham been "less fashionable neighbours"?!? Have they seen how sartorial Scott measures up to scruffy Fat Frank?! Did they not notice the beautiful new stand they were sitting in???

- Bobby Reid picked up another unjust yellow card and will miss the Man U game. Hopefully Ruben Steps-Up is ready to show us what he can do.

In a weekend where results have gone against us this narrow, partly self-inflicted loss is hard to take. Somehow, we must survive the Man U game while preserving our goal difference and ready ourselves for the huge games which follow. We are still playing well, getting better all the time and the transfer window is still open. But, on that subject, there are two elephants in the room: whether or not a new striker is waiting in the wings, as yet unglimpsed; and our tainted and misunderstood hero - the Missing in Action Mitro.

We must keep the faith. This team shows again and again that it has enough skill, desire and resilience to survive. As for C*****a, our chance to beat them at the Cottage will come again. And when we do, we will all be there to see it.



https://werdsmith.com/p/WaM2zMrCKAD8N

[WhiteJC]

Parker aims to avoid deadline day rush

Scott Parker wants Fulham to secure new arrivals as soon as possible in order to avoid a deadline day rush.

Fulham have been playing catch up for most of the season largely as a result of delayed recruitment in the summer transfer window, something Parker obliquely referenced in his post-match press conference following Fulham's narrow derby defeat to Chelsea on Saturday:

We were three or four games in before we did a lot of our business and a lot of points were at stake really. So, of course, we'd like to try and get the business in early because it gives you an opportunity to work with the player, gives them a quicker time to settle in, and obviously you don't miss as many games.

We understand the difficulties of this window and it is a short turnaround but I'd like to do business early, I'd like to get players in. Hopefully we can get some help because we do need it in certain areas.

The Fulham boss has already spoken about the importance of adding a striker to his squad. Aleksandar Mitrovic has missed the last two games with a calf problem picked up in the FA Cup win at QPR and Ivan Cavaleiro, who has filled in as a makeshift centre forward, missed a glorious chance just before half-time to put the Whites ahead against Chelsea.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/parker-aims-to-avoid-deadline-day-rush/

[WhiteJC]

Manchester United might have to drop high-profile players vs Fulham

The Man Utd forwards again drew a blank in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool amid questions over Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood's places.

It was not fair on Marcus Rashford, or Paul Pogba, and it showed the extent of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's admiration for Anthony Martial.

The Manchester United boss reshuffled his attack for the visit to Liverpool, playing Pogba in an unfamiliar role on the right, asking Rashford to spearhead the attack through and middle, and allowing Martial to run at Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Liverpool right-back is widely known to prefer crossing into opposition penalty boxes than defending his own. And despite the fact two midfielders — Fabinho and Jordan Henderson — occupied the hosts' centre-back slots, Alexander-Arnold was still the defensive Achilles heel. It says much about Martial's current malaise that he was unable to exploit that weak spot, bar the odd run late in the first half.

Solskjaer hinted to Sky Sports after the 0-0 draw that he might have been more positive with his team selection on another day. And given the chance to take on this fallible Liverpool team again, he would surely have started Edinson Cavani as the focal point to the attack rather than the rather disjointed attacking line-up that played for an hour.

Rashford looked as frustrated as Martial, with the two playing in each other's roles, though Martial should have done better against Alexander-Arnold.

The presence of Cavani, however, straightens out the debate over Rashford and Martial — just as it improved United in the second half at Anfield . The Uruguayan will surely start up front against Fulham in midweek, with Mason Greenwood potentially on the right, and either Rashford or Martial on the left.

Solskjaer's post-match interview revealed the lop-sided nature of United's attack was, at least in part, picked with Liverpool's strengths in mind.

After the pre-match jousting between the Norwegian and Jurgen Klopp, here was a stone-cold compliment to the reigning champions. United fielded Pogba out of position because they were worried about Andy Roberton's attacking prowess.

"I thought Paul was absolutely brilliant today," Solskjaer said when asked about his auxiliary right-winger. "We knew he had to do a job defensively to help us with Robertson and I thought he was excellent and should have got the goal his performance deserved."

Had Pogba put that late opportunity beyond Alisson, of course, the narrative would now be different. Solskjaer would be hailed as a tactical genius and United's progress in the past year would be shouted from virtually every rooftop in Manchester.

But the fine margins of football means the debate remains more nuanced, even if a place at the Premier League summit should convince the Solskjaer doubters.

After a 2-0 defeat at Anfield on January 19th last year, United were some 30 points off top spot in the league. Now, after a 0-0 draw that they might (and probably should) have won, United are two points clear. That's progress.

Solskjaer also said that the point would become a better one if United won the next game.

And for that encounter away at Fulham on Wednesday night, he must put away the tactical tricks we saw at Anfield and go back to basics.

Cavani is United's only true centre-forward and Greenwood is their only right-winger. Solskjaer has enormous faith in both Rashford and Martial, while he felt compelled to pick Pogba against Liverpool purely on form, but it's time for pragmatism to take over.

Winnable games against Sheffield United, Southampton and West Brom are all on the horizon for United now. So Solskjaer needs to abandon sentiment, bring structure to United's attack and build on this most promising of platforms.

Rashford and Martial remain among the league's most dangerous players when they're on song. They will fire again for United this season, but there is a strong argument for Solskjaer to drop one or both of them soon.



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-fulham-rashford-martial-19645100

[WhiteJC]

City trio named in Team of the Week

Alfie Mawson, Zak Vyner and Famara Diédhiou were all named in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Week, following Saturday's 2-0 win over Preston North End.

Man of the Match Diédhiou headed City into an early lead, with Vyner excelling in his first midfield start and capping off his afternoon with a first goal for the club in the second half.

Alfie Mawson was dominant at the back as the numbers from Saturday show, with the centre-back marking his first league game since returning from injury with a clean sheet to help City record the three points.

Your standout performers from the weekend! 💪

Here is your #SkyBetChampionship Team of the Week, powered by @WhoScored ratings. #EFL | #TOTW pic.twitter.com/KGOiTxAIg5

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) January 18, 2021

Up next for the Robins is a trip to Carrow Road where they face Norwich City on Wednesday evening (January 20th, 6pm KO), live on Robins TV for Season Card holders.



https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-trio-named-in-team-of-the-week/

[WhiteJC]

'Delighted': Reported West Ham and Fulham target signs new deal, despite pushing for move

Kai Wagner has signed a new contract with Philadelphia Union while putting an end to speculation linking the left-back with West Ham United and Fulham, as reported by MLS Soccer.

As fans of Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Monaco will tell you, success comes with its own pitfalls.

And, after finishing top of the MLS Eastern Conference last year, Philadelphia Union have had to deal with the departures of two key players.

USA international centre-back Mark McKenzie departed for Genk last week amid interest from Celtic, while Brenden 'the American Havertz' Aaronson become the latest wonder-kid to enroll in Red Bull Salzburg's esteemed finishing school.

But with the league's finest left-back putting pen to paper on a new contract, at least Wagner will be staying for a few more months at least.

"We are delighted to have come to an agreement with Kai on a new deal," said Ernst Tanner, Union's sporting director.

"Kai has been one of the best left-backs in our league since he arrived, and we believe he is still far from his ceiling. We ask our defenders to dominate an entire flank by themselves, and Kai continually shows he is up to the challenge."

The Mail reported in November that West Ham and Fulham had identified Wagner as a bargain £3.5 million target heading into the winter window.

The former Schalke youngster, meanwhile, told Kicker that he was keen on a move to Europe.

"I'll be 24 in February, so I think I'll have to change (clubs) soon. I am ready for one of the top three leagues in Europe – the Bundesliga, the Premier League or Spain, if you like," he said.

But, with West Ham prioritising a new striker instead, Wagner will have to wait before he follows in McKenzie's and Aaronson's footsteps.




https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/01/18/delighted-reported-west-ham-and-fulham-target-signs-new-deal-despite-pushing-for-move/

[WhiteJC]

Rashford aiming to emulate Rooney's London treble

Did you know?

Fulham are looking for their first Premier League victory over Manchester United in 12 matches (D2 L9).

The Cottagers have failed to score in their last three home league matches. They last went four without a goal at home in August 1969, while they last did so in the top flight back in December 1961.

If they avoid defeat at Fulham, the Red Devils would match their PL record of 17 matches unbeaten on the road between December 1998 and September 1999.

Marcus Rashford can become the first Man Utd player to net in three consecutive PL matches in London since Wayne Rooney in November 2014.

Match officials

Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: Peter Kirkup, Eddie Smart. Fourth official: Stuart Attwell. VAR: Kevin Friend. Assistant VAR: Marc Perry.




https://www.premierleague.com/news/1974170

[WhiteJC]

U23s Report: Fulham thwart Palace comeback

Fulham U23s survived a spirited fightback from Palace U23s as they held on for victory in an action-packed game in south London.
Summary:

    Fulham start brightly, Fabio Carvalho opening the scoring with a neat finish.
    Oliver Webber prevents a second, saving from close-range before the rebound is smuggled away.
    Fulham double their lead with a superb team goal, finished by Sylvester Jasper.
    John-Kymani Gordon wins a penalty for Palace, which Sion Spence converts to pull a goal back.
    Brandon Pierrick brings the scores level with an excellent left-footed finish.
    HT: Palace 2-2 Fulham
    Palace start the second-half brightly, with Gordon volleying over the crossbar.
    Jean Pierre Tiehi scores on the break as Fulham retake the lead.
    Palace push forwards for the equaliser but Fulham hold firm.
    FT: Palace 2-3 Fulham

It was a young Palace side to take on their London rivals, spearheaded by 17-year-old John-Kymani Gordon, replacing Rob Street in attack after the striker joined Torquay United on loan for the rest of the season.

Fulham started with real intent as Fabio Carvalho broke into the penalty area, but one too many touch allowed Sam Woods to get back and mop up the danger. The visitors came forward once again, a speculative shot blocked and eventually hooked away.

Palace are well aware of the danger Carvalho can pose after his hattrick in the reverse fixture last year, but they couldn't stop him making an impact once again. As Woods intercepted Jayden Harris' through ball, Carvalho nipped in and drove forwards, flicking a neat finish past a helpless Oliver Webber.

It was almost two moments later as Webber was forced into a save from close-range, before the effort from the rebound was eventually smuggled away.

Fulham were on song and it wasn't long before they doubled their lead though a wonderful team goal. Picking up the ball thirty yards out, the impressive Harris played one-twos first with Carvalho and then Jean Pierre Tiehi, before setting Sylvester Jasper though with a disguised reverse pass; Jasper converted from close-range.

It was a superb piece of one-touch football, but it also seemed to jog Palace into action.

Showing more intent in the Fulham half, Nya Kirby found Gordon, who laid off Spence. Spence's first time flick found Gordon once again, who was brought down as he prepared to pull the trigger; the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Spence converted the penalty in confident fashion, and Palace were back in the game.

Fulham's high-press continued, and they thought their two-goal cushion had been restored on the half-hour mark. Winning the ball back deep in the Palace half, Ben Davis and Carvalho combined to release Tiehi in behind. The striker finished well, but the flag was up for offside.

Fulham were made to rue the decision soon after, as Palace completed the comeback to draw level.

This time it was the hosts pressing high, as Woods stole the ball back in midfield and released Spence. The captain laid off for Brandon Pierrick, who feinted inside and slammed a powerful left-footed effort past Luca Ashby Hammond in goal.

Palace were pleased to go in at the break level, and came out after the restart looking purposeful, keen not to start the second-half as slowly as they had the first.

Spence's corner dropped for Gordon on the penalty spot, but he got under his volley and sent it well over the crossbar.

Palace were committing bodies forwards, but once again they were architects of their own downfall. Giving the ball away in midfield, the hosts' were stretched at the back as Carvalho broke forwards, laying off for Tiehi to slot home and restore Fulham's lead.

Palace pushed forwards for the equaliser, Pierrick a constant threat on the ball. Cutting inside from a short free-kick, his low shot was deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper. 

After Hale's half-volleyed effort missed the target, Pierrick was set through once again, his low shot pushed behind by the goalkeeper. 

As Fulham sought to slow the game down, Palace poured forwards, seeking a final opportunity to get back on terms, but the visitors held firm to see out a hard-fought victory.

The result sees Fulham leapfrog Palace in an incredibly tight league table, where six points separate 12 of the 13 sides.

Palace: Webber (GK), Taylor, Hannam, M. Boateng, Hobbs, Baghuelou (Hale, 60), Kirby (Giddings, 60), Woods, Gordon (Matthews, 71), Spence, Pierrick.

Subs not used: Russell (GK), Watson.

Fulham: Hammond (GK), Murphy, Larkeche, McAvoy, Jasper, Harris, Tiehi, Carvalho, De Haueilland, Davis (O'Neill, 45), Duru.

Subs not used: Abraham, Mee, Biereth, Benjamin.



https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/match-report-crystal-palace-u23s-v-fulham-u23s/

[WhiteJC]

Exclusive: Fulham have failed in bid to re-sign £34.5m star

Fulham failed in a shock move for their ex-star Moussa Dembele before he joined Atletico Madrid last week, Football Insider can reveal.

Fulham are in the market for a new striker this month to boost their Premier League survival chances.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider the Londoners contacted Lyon about bringing the striker back to Craven Cottage.

But they could not compete with the offer on the table from Atletico.

The Spanish club have bought Dembele on a loan-to-buy deal in which he will cost £30m rising to a potential £34.5million.

The 24-year-old began his professional career with the London club after moving from Paris Saint-Germain when he was 16.

He made his debut as an 18-year-old and went on to score 19 goals and provide nine assists in 64 games for the Cottagers.

Scottish giants Celtic then swooped for the striker in 2018 after his contract expired with Fulham.

Dembele earned himself hero status in Glasgow as he scored 51 goals in just 94 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops.

In his two full seasons at the club, he helped the Bhoys to successive domestic trebles where they won the Scottish Premiership, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

In 2018, the Frenchman moved back to France and signed for Lyon for around a £20million fee.

The former France Under-21 international scored 20 goals across all competitions in his first season with the club and followed up with 24 goals last term.

However, during this campaign, Dembele found the net just once in 16 games before completing his switch to Atletico.

He arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano after Diego Costa's contract with the Spanish giants was cancelled.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-fulham-have-failed-in-bid-to-re-sign-34-5m-star/

[WhiteJC]

Alfie Mawson discusses injury rehab and longer stay at Bristol City from Fulham

On-loan centre-back deferred talk of remaining at Ashton Gate beyond this season.

Bristol City centre-back Alfie Mawson has been talking about his future at Ashton Gate.

The on-loan Fulham defender made his seventh appearance of the season at the weekend against Preston as he helped the Robins win 2-0, keeping a fifth clean sheet at home in the Championship.

Mawson has not been on the losing side for the Robins yet when he has completed a game, coming off early injured in the home loss to Middlesbrough.

And the 26-year-old was put up to speak at the pre-Norwich City press conference, where he was asked about his longer term plans.

"I've been asked this a few times. Listen, I've enjoyed my time here massively and I've only played seven times but I can certainly see myself enjoying a lot more football here," he said.

"Whether that's just until the end of the season or whether that's beyond that that's a discussion that will take place later at a different stage - if it is to take place.

"I've enjoyed the area and living here. It's a pity with all that's going on in the world that I haven't been able to get out and enjoy Bristol and explore.

"And for me the main one has been to get out in front of the fans. I haven't been able to enjoy that yet because the boys have talked nothing but positives about them and that they really get behind you.

"I think that's key, especially when you're chasing promotion. You need that to feed off. But we feel that they are there even if they physically aren't.

"Like I say, it's a conversation to take place at a later time, if it does. At the moment I'm just enjoying my football day by day. And it's a great place to be," he explained.

Meanwhile Mawson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, also discussed the last few months away being injured.

He has paid tribute to the Bristol City medical staff for getting him back to the pitch in good time, the club's support staff recently being spotlighted with Joe Williams not playing at all this season so far.

"Any injury is tough. I think because I've had this injury a few times before I know how to deal with it. It's good as I can approach it in the right manner and the right mindset but obviously it's frustrating. Especially as we were going well.

"Looking back it was probably going to happen regardless of the tackle or not, but I take my hat off to the club medical staff here: Rollsy, Procs and Del and all the fitness coaches and everyone involved. They've really looked after me. They've been different level.

"I had a month away back in London trying to settle my knee down, so I was literally at home for a month and that's when the most gruelling time was. My poor missus was with me every day and she must have thought I was as miserable as sin.

"I'm miserable anyway but injuries are a part of football and she's really starting to understand that. As soon as I got back here we set out a plan, we didn't go mad, and we didn't really set a date in mind, and it just fell so well that the Portsmouth game was the game I was fit to play 65 in.

"Most of the credit goes to the way that the staff have looked after me. I've had rehabs in the past that have gone well and some that haven't in previous times, so I'm really grateful for the work they've put in.

"That's all behind me now. I've got to just keep looking forward now. It'll be tough to get into the regular flow of Championship football because it's gruelling as it is, " he added.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/alfie-mawson-discusses-injury-rehab-4901071

[WhiteJC]

Fulham failed with Dembele bid

Fulham failed in an audacious attempt to bring former forward Moussa Demeble back to Craven Cottage earlier this month, according to reports this afternoon.

Football Insider reports that the Whites were keen to entice Dembele back to England using the carrot of Premier League football, but were simply unable to match the wage package offered by Atletico Madrid. The 24 year-old was formally announced as an Atletico player earlier this week, joining on an initial loan deal that will become a £30m permanent deal in the summer.

Scott Parker has spoken of the importance of bringing in additional forwards during the January transfer, given that he is currently deploying Ivan Cavaleiro as a striker as Aleksandar Mitrovic struggles for both form and fitness. The Fulham boss suggested over the weekend that he wants reinforcements quickly, but the Londoners have only been linked with possible moves for Newcastle's Dwight Gayle and the Bournemouth striker Josh King.

Fulham's unlikely pursuit of Dembele, who joined the club on a free transfer from French giants Paris Saint-Germain at the age of sixteen, highlights just how desperate they are to land a reliable striker to power their survival bid. Dembele, who was a regular scorer for the club's academy sides, eventually went to score 19 goals in 64 senior appearances before joining Celtic for a nominal fee once his Fulham contract expired in the summer of 2016.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fulham-failed-with-dembele-bid/

[WhiteJC]

Man United trio one yellow card away from suspension ahead of Fulham game

Three key Manchester United players are one yellow card away from a ban ahead of the Red Devils' trip to Fulham.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, games are now coming thick and fast. In this condensed season, fixtures are being jam-packed into the schedule – which is an unfortunate but necessary risk to take.

Next up for Manchester United is a game against Fulham, whose league position feels somewhat false given their good form recently.

Anyway, going into the game, United have a key trio who are risking suspension as they're all one yellow card away from a ban.

In their usual team news post, the official club website brought that news to light. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes are all just one booking away from missing domestic action.

If any pick up a booking here, they'd miss the Sheffield United game next week. However, this is the final game in which that ban can be enforced.
Should Solskjaer start them?

The fact that they're all risking bans leaves the gaffer with a decision to make. However, as was with the case with Harry Maguire ahead of the Liverpool game, leaving these guys out is not a risk United can afford to take.

Solskjaer's side are in a title race and every single point could be crucial come May. United need to go out there and take all three against Fulham. For that, we'll need our best players.

Start them all and if the game is comfortable we can make the necessary substitutes. If they pick up cards, so be it, that's just the nature of the sport.

Whichever way Solskjaer decides to play it, I'd like to think we have more than enough quality to beat Fulham under whatever circumstance. And if players are banned, you'd hope the replacements would be able to beat Sheffield United...



https://oldtraffordfaithful.com/man-united-trio-one-yellow-card-away-from-suspension-ahead-of-fulham-game/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham And Crystal Palace Join West Ham In Striker Hunt, Contact Made

Fulham and Crystal Palace have joined West Ham United in the hunt for Reims striker Boulaye Dia.

Dia is hot property in this month's transfer window as clubs look to add a prolific striker to the ranks.

West Ham are keen on Dia as they hunt for a replacement to Sebastien Haller, who has joined Dutch giants Ajax.

The Hammers now have serious competition from within the Premier League for Dia as, according to French magazine Le 10 Sport, Fulham and Crystal Palace have entered the race.

It is claimed that both clubs have made contact to register their interest in signing Dia and to gather information about the finances that would be needed to snap him up.

Both clubs are expected to formulate proposals for Dia, but have not yet lodged an offer for him.

Dia also has interest from Russia, where Krasnodar are interested in securing his services.

The striker has so far found the back of the net on 12 occasions in France's Ligue 1 for Reims.



https://insidefutbol.com/2021/01/18/fulham-and-crystal-palace-join-west-ham-in-striker-hunt-contact-made/490453/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eye Dia deal

Fulham are the latest Premier League side to join the race to sign Reims striker Boulaye Dia, according to reports in France this evening.

The 24 year-old forward has scored twelve goals in eighteen league games for Reims this season and currently leads the Ligue 1 scoring charts. The Senegalese international had been widely tipped to move to Olympique Marseilles, but an overseas switch seems more likely given the crippling affect of the coronavirus pandemic on French football finances. West Ham also hold a longstanding interest in Dia, but the Hammers are also considering a number of other targets to replace the recently departed Sebastien Haller.

Le10Sport reports that both Fulham and Crystal Palace have been in touch with Dia's representatives to gauge the player's interest in a potential move to London and understand what sort of terms he would be requesting. No official approach has been made by either party, but both are expected to table offers well before the close of the transfer window.

Fulham's need for striking reinforcements is well established, with Scott Parker using his post-match press conference following Saturday's defeat by Chelsea to urge the club to conclude a deal for a new forward well in advance of the transfer deadline. The Londoners have also been linked with moves for Dwight Gayle and Josh King in recent days, whilst reports this afternoon claimed that they had failed in an ambitious attempt to bring Moussa Dembele back to Craven Cottage.

Dia has scored 24 goals in 69 games since making his professional debut for Reims in October 2018. His fine form for Reims earned a first international call-up to the senior Senegal squad last year and Dia made his debut in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Morocco. Reims, who are reportedly struggling to be able to pay their first-team squad beyond the end of this month, are believed to be holding out for a fee of around £15m for his services, with a number of European clubs rumoured to be tracking the striker's progress.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fulham-eye-dia-deal/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League predictions: Lawro v Cassia bassist and Man City fan Lou Cotterill

Eight teams have led the Premier League already this season - will Manchester City make it nine when they play Aston Villa on Wednesday?

The title race is so close that four different clubs could spend time in first place this week alone but, so far, Pep Guardiola's side are the only side in the top eight yet to hit the summit in 2020-21.

"Sooner or later, City will be top," said BBC football expert and former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson. "For me, they are the favourites now to win the league, and they are playing well and on a roll."

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For this week's Premier League fixtures, from Tuesday to Saturday, he is up against a Manchester City fan - Lou Cotterill, bassist with Macclesfield indie band Cassia.

"I watched City beat Crystal Palace on Sunday night and we are looking back to our best now," Cotterill told BBC Sport.

"If we can keep this form up, then the title is coming back to Manchester - and the blue side as well."

Cotterill is a City fan because his dad was a Blue, but says his older brothers chose Arsenal and Manchester United instead.

"When I was younger Alex, the United fan, was giving it the big one but he has been pretty quiet about football for the past few years," he said.

"It's only recently he has come out of the woodwork again with United back at the top of the table, but that's more than I can say about Mark, who supports Arsenal. He's not got much to say about them at all these days."

Cotterill and the rest of the band spent much of last year recording in Berlin but he is used to watching City whenever he is in the UK, and is looking forward to returning to Etihad Stadium once fans are allowed back in.

"It's been hard for us not being able to tour, and the live scene is non-existent at the moment because of Covid," he added. "We're still writing and releasing music, though, and hoping we can hit the road again when things get back to normal.

"Going to City games again will be part of that for me too. Of course, not having a crowd there makes a difference. In the past few weeks, City have got some of their old intensity back but, at the start of the season, I think the players missed our fans at times in games when the crowd would have got them going."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Fulham v Man Utd (18:00 GMT)

Fulham were a bit unlucky to be beaten by Chelsea on Saturday - before Antonee Robinson's red card, they looked capable of holding out for what would have been their sixth draw in a row.

Even with 10 men they still had a go and they have made themselves difficult to beat. That's a mark of the improvement the Cottagers have made but Manchester United have been like a machine on the road this season, with seven wins and two draws from nine games.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Liverpool that he was disappointed with a point but that goes down as a good result for them - I am telling you now that Manchester City will happily settle for the same when they go to Anfield at the start of February.

Yes, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will have to be a lot more influential here, but surely he cannot play as poorly again as he did at the weekend - and their defence is looking pretty solid in any case, which is a big plus for them.

I'm going with Solskjaer's side to win here, which will be enough to put them back on top regardless of how Leicester and Manchester City get on beforehand.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Lou's prediction: This will be tight, because I don't think Fulham are as bad as the table suggests. 1-2



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55697160

[filham]

For a moment there I thought maybe Lawro was not going to predict a defeat for us. pleased to see he stuck with his usual feelings and is forecasting a Man. U win, always happy when he is against us.