Sunday Fulham Stuff - 24/01/21...

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Results

Saturday
Villa	2-0	Newcastle

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Reed in fine form, says Parker

Fulham manager Scott Parker feels midfielder Harrison Reed is in the best form of his career.

The 25 year-old completed a long-awaited permanent move to Craven Cottage this summer after a successful loan spell from Southampton concluded with victory in the Championship play-off final. Reed was not an automatic selection at the start of the season, but has been outstanding having forged an impressive partnership with Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa at the base of the Fulham midfield and his tireless energy gives crucial protection to Parker's reshaped back line.

The Fulham manager feels Reed's recent displays against Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are particularly worthy of praise.

I think Harrison's played the best three games of his Fulham career, to be honest. The last three have been tremendous and he was a vital part of what we did last year. I thought he could make the step up and he's proved that over the last few games. I'm pleased he's progressing and he's been given the opportunity and a platform in the Premier League to do that.

Parker concurs with Reed's own assessment that having a former central midfielder as his manager has helped him grow into the Fulham shirt.

Maybe there's an easier connection for me because of how I see that position because I have 20 years of it and it's ingrained. I have vast (number of) photographs (of the position) in my mind, so it's probably a little bit easier.

It remains to be seen whether Reed will start Sunday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Burnley as Parker considers rotating his side ahead of the pivotal trips to relegation rivals Brighton and West Brom next week.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/reed-in-fine-form-says-parker/

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U23s slip to Reading reverse

Fulham's under 23s were disappointingly beaten by Reading this afternoon.

The result could have been very different had the in-form Jean-Pierre Tiehi converted a penalty awarded in the game's early exchanges for a foul on Ben Davies. But the French forward failed to hit the target, firing wide of the goal, – and the Royals took full advantage.

Their opening goal just after the half hour was fortuitous as Ethan Bristow's near post corner went straight in having bounced through a forest of legs and eluded Luca Ashby-Hammond. It was almost 2-0 immediately when Andy Yiadom's clever chip was scrambled off the line by the retreating Lesley Duru.

Reading were on the front foot at the start of the second period and doubled their lead four minutes after half time. Jayden Onen fired home clinically after Fulham failed to clear their lines and things got decidedly worse when the attacking midfielder was caught by Luca Murphy and the referee pointed to the spot, despite the Fulham's defenders protestations that the offence occurred outside the area. Ryan East emphatically smashed the spot-kick straight down the middle.

Tiehi was denied a consolation by a brilliant bit of decisive goalkeeping by Coniah Boyce-Clarke, who raced from his goal and timed his intervention to perfection.

FULHAM UNDER 23s: Ashby-Hammond, Duru, Fossey, McAvoy, Murphy; Davis, Harris, Hilton, De Havilland, O'Neill; Tiehi. Subs: Trialist, Aina, Pajaziti, Abraham.

READING UNDER 23s: Boyce-Clarke, Yiadom (Hewitt 64), Bristow, Luzon, Watson, East, Tetek (Leavy 64), Pendlebury, Onen, Camara (Lawless 73), Smith. Subs (not used): Holden, Ajose.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/u23s-slip-to-reading-reverse/

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Fulham vs Burnley predictions as Jordan North disagrees with Mark Lawrenson and Michael Owen

Burnley take on Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday

Burnley are in FA Cup action this weekend as they make the journey to Fulham for a round four clash.

Both sides have Premier League survival as their main priority this season and both will make changes for this contest.

But with a home tie against either Championship club Bournemouth or League Two side Crawley Town on offer, the winners of the Craven Cottage encounter will be favourites to reach the last eight.

Pundits Michael Owen and Mark Lawreson feel this could be the end of the road for Sean Dyche's side but Clarets supporter, Radio One DJ and I'm A Celebrity star Jordan North is backing Burnley to come through.

North is competing against Lawrenson in the BBC Sport predictions this week and fancies the Clarets to progress.

"We can do this," he said. "I bet I get none of the other scores right but hopefully I'm not wrong with this one. 1-2."

Lawrenson and Owen however both forecast a narrow home win.

Lawrenson said: "Fulham look a different side to the one that started the season - they are much better at the back, have something about them in midfield and have a bit of pace up front - well apart from when Aleksandar Mitrovic plays anyway.

"Burnley have also improved a lot of late, but they play at Anfield on Thursday night and no matter how that game goes it will take a lot out of them. That will be in Fulham's favour. 1-0."

Owen, in his Bet Victor Blog, added: "Despite both playing markedly better than they were before Christmas, neither are scoring a huge amount of goals.

"Other than a very good away win at the Emirates, Burnley's recent away form has been poor.

"With that in mind, I'm going for a narrow Fulham win in a low scoring contest. 1-0."



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/fulham-vs-burnley-predictions-score-19684292

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Stansfield scores on U18s return as Fulham hit six

Jay Stansfield scored his return to competitive football as Fulham's under 18s won a pulsating nine-goal thriller against Brighton and Hove Albion this morning.

The teenage striker, fast tracked into Scott Parker's first team last year after an incredible first season after signing from Exeter last summer, hasn't played since October after fracturing his ankle in training. Stansfield made his mark a matter of minutes after coming on as a second half substitute – heading home an excellent cross from Tyler Caton to ensure that Steve Wigley's side returned to the top of the table.

The young Whites got off to the perfect start when Matt Dibley-Dias curled a delightful free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards and Luciano D'Auria-Henry hit the base of the post after a flowing move down the right a few minutes later. In an incredibly open start, Brighton were dangerous as well with Cameron Peupion crowded out as he let fly from just inside the box.

Albion did find a leveller on eighteen minutes when Zak Emerson finished clinically past Dermot Mee from close range – but Fulham were quick to respond. Scottish forward Kieron Bowie put the home side back in front when he raced onto a through ball and fired home just two minutes later.

Fulham's lead only lasted for a further two minutes, however. Andy Moran equalised for the south coast side with a well-taken finish from an acute angle after he had worked a clever one-two on the edge of the box. Mee, a recent arrival from Manchester United, had to save smartly from Marcus Ifill to prevent Brighton from taking the lead.

The Whites went ahead ten minutes before the break when highly-rated defender Stefan Parkes stole in at a free-kick and volleyed home at the far post. The extraordinary end-to-end nature of this absorbing contest continued after the interval with Albion unfortunate not to level matters for a third time. Xavier Benjamin did superbly to prevent a dangerous cross from reaching Emerson and Moran could only find the side netting having latched onto the loose ball.

Mika Biereth was denied a Fulham fourth from the penalty spot thanks to a fine save from the Brighton goalkeeper but the teenage forward didn't allow that miss to dent his confidence. Biereth was not to be denied his seventh goal of the season – gleefully thumping home a rebound after Bowie had seen a goalbound shot bravely blocked.

Bowie then gave Fulham some much-needed breathing space, calmly converting a one-on-one by rounding the goalkeeper, before Stansfield stole the show after his introduction from the bench. Peupion did poke home a consolation with three minutes to play, but Whites ran out comfortable winners in the end.

FULHAM U18s: Mee; D'Auria-Henry, Parkes, Bowat, Araujo; Benjamin, Dibley-Dias; Olakigbe, Lanquedoc; Bowie, Biereth. Subs: Glover, Antonsson, Caton, Wildbore, Stansfield.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/stansfield-scores-on-u18s-return-as-fulham-hit-six/

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Fulham open to letting Jean Michael Seri leave

Fulham are reportedly ready to release Jean Michael Seri this month.

According to Sky Sports, the Cottagers are in negotiations with Galatasaray over the possibility of the Ivory Coast international joining the Turkish Super Lig club on-loan for a second time.

Seri spent the entire 2019-20 season on-loan in Istanbul where he made 37 appearances across all competitions.

The 29-year-old joined Fulham from Nice in 2018, but has struggled for game time at Craven Cottage and has only made two Carabao Cup appearances this season.

Fulham currently occupy 18th spot on the Premier League standings. Scott Parker's men return to action away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, following back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United which has left them five points from safety.



https://africanfootball.com//news/783961/Fulham-open-to-letting-Jean-Michael-Seri-leave

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Juve looking to strengthen the backline: Fulham defender on the radar

In the hopes of avoiding another campaign marred by absentees and emergency replacements like the current one, Juventus are working on adding young defenders who will bolster their backline.

This season, Andrea Pirlo struggled to find consistency in defense, as his four natural center backs – Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs De Ligt and Merih Demiral – were never all fit at the same time, as the coach often found himself with very limited options at the back, which prompted him to play Danilo as a center half on several occasions.

Therefore, Fabio Paratici and company have began their search for a new player for the role – especially with Chiellini and Bonucci advancing in age – and according to Tuttosport via Calciomercato.it, they may have found their target in the English Premier League.

Tosin Adarabioyo is a 23-year-old defender who currently plays for Fulham after completing a recent move from Manchester City last October for just under 2 million euros.

Nonetheless the English-Nigerian giant (standing at 1.95 cm) has become a key member of Scott Parker's side, and with his contract expiring in June 2023, he could be available for around 10 to 12 million euros.

Although it is unlikely that such a transfer would be completed during the current January transfer market, especially with the London based club being involved in a relegation dog fight – as they currently sit 18th in the EPL table – a summer transfer would be much more likely if the Bianconeri are interested in the player's services.

The reports adds that even if an unlikely January move took place, Juventus must then loan the defender out for the rest of the season since he is considered as a non-EU player.



https://www.juvefc.com/juve-looking-to-strengthen-the-backline-fulham-defender-on-the-radar/

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Juventus eyeing Adarabioyo swoop

Juventus are watching Fulham centre back Tosin Adarabioyo with a view to a summer move for the defender, according to reports from Italy.

Tuttosport claims that the Italian giants have been impressed with the former Manchester City defender's start at Craven Cottage and have earmarked him as a potential addition as they plan to revamp their defence during the close season. The newspaper suggests that Juventus would be open to offering around €13m and that the situation will depend on whether Fulham can successfully fight off relegation from the Premier League.

Adarabioyo, who joined Fulham for less than £2m in October, has made an excellent start to life at Craven Cottage helping stabalise a creaky defence as Scott Parker switched from a back four to three centre halves. The 23 year-old has made fourteen appearances in the Premier League forging an excellent understanding with Joachim Andersen at the heart of the Fulham defence. It remains highly unlikely that Fulham would consider selling the England youth international, who signed a three-year contract last year.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/juventus-eyeing-adarabioyo-swoop/

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Fulham make £10.5m Nzola offer

Fulham have tabled a £10.5m offer for Spezia striker M'Bala Nzola, according to reports this afternoon in Italy.

The Whites are desperate to bring in a striker to fire their survival bid after Scott Parker has been forced to field Ivan Cavaleiro as a makeshift forward following Aleksandar Mitrovic's loss of form and fitness. The French forward has scored nine goals in 13 games for Vincenzo Italiano's side this season after a successful loan spell in Ligura last season.

The 24 year-old scored seven times in 21 league appearances as Spezia were promoted from Serie B via the play-offs last season and made his move from Trapani, who had helped gain promotion from Serie C in 2018, permanent. Nzola has impressed during Spezia's first season in the Italian top flight, although the club are reportedly willing to hold for an offer that matches their £13.35m valuation with other suitors apparently monitoring developments.

Nzola, who can also operate on the left wing, came through the Academia de Coimbra academy in Portugal and after a year with Virtus Francavilla, whom he helped reach the promotion play-offs, he made the move to Italy, joining Carpi. The 6ft 1in speedy forward has been previously linked with a possible move to West Ham in December after making a strong impression in Serie A.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fulham-make-10-5m-nzola-offer/

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Burnley Matchday Preview

Fulham v Burnley | Sunday 24th January 2021 | 2.30pm | Craven Cottage | Emirates FA Cup | #FULBUR

The opposition

    Confidence will be high in the Burnley camp following their heroics at Anfield on Thursday. Liverpool hadn't lost at home in the Premier League in 68 matches, but a late penalty from Ashley Barnes secured a huge three points for the Clarets.
    That win pushed them seven points clear of the relegation zone, while they have also played a game less than Brighton, West Brom and Sheffield United.
    Burnley almost didn't make it to Round Four of the FA Cup. They needed a goal from Matej Vydra in the fourth minute of stoppage time to equalise against MK Dons in the Third Round, eventually seeing off the League One outfit 4-3 on penalties.

Fulham team news

Bobby De Cordova-Reid returns to contention having served a one match ban, though Antonee Robinson still has two games to sit out. Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo are carrying injuries, but everyone else is available. Youngsters Fabio Carvalho and Sylvester Jasper have been training with the First Team this week, and Scott Parker has said he expects to involve the pair in some capacity on Sunday.

Burnley team news

Charlie Taylor and Robbie Brady were both withdrawn at Anfield and are expected to miss the trip to London, while Sean Dyche has said he will give minutes to some players who have not featured so heavily this season.

Coverage

The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport Extra 2, while commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid is available for FFCtv subscribers.

Player insight

Joe Bryan believes progression in the FA Cup can only help Fulham's Premier League campaign.

Two big games against Brighton and West Brom are on the horizon, and Bryan is aiming to go into those fixtures on the back of victory over Burnley.

"It's a horrible cliché, but winning is a habit," he told FFCtv. "The more games you win, the better your confidence is, the better the mood is around here.

"Winning's just good fun, isn't it, so hopefully we'll be able to do that on Sunday."

Form

Fulham: DWDLL

Burnley: WD*LLW

*Won on penalties

Pre-match quotes

"The main aim this year for us is the league, but in saying that, the FA Cup is a competition that I hold in real high regard, with the memories I have as a young boy."

Scott Parker
Fulham Head Coach

"There has been a good feel from the recent run of games, even with a couple of losses in there. We want to keep that going and keep that feeling, but you have to work hard for that feeling and we will have to work hard at Fulham."

Sean Dyche
Burnley Manager

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/january/Burnley-Matchday-Preview/

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Fulham offloading their out-of-favour 30-year-old star would be a fair settlement for both parties

Why Fulham offloading Stefan Johansen would be a fair settlement
According to Sky Sports, Fulham are ready to listen to offers for out-of-favour midfielder Stefan Johansen in the January window as Scott Parker bids to trim his squad.

As per the report, the Norwegian has attracted interest from West London rivals QPR in the Championship this month after not featuring at all for the Cottagers in the Premier League so far. Johansen was not included in Parker's PL squad for the first half of the campaign and the midfielder is unlikely to break into the manager's plans in the coming months.

Johansen's decline at Fulham
Johansen joined Fulham from Celtic in the summer of 2016 and went on to make an instant impact in the EFL Championship, registering 11 goals and 8 assists in 38 appearances. He followed it up with 8 goals and 9 assists in 48 outings in 2017-18 as the Cottagers won promotion to the Premier League.

The Norwegian didn't really manage to hit the same heights in the top-flight, however. Johansen started just 4 games during the first half of the 2018-19 campaign before heading out on loan to West Brom in the Championship in January 2019. On his return, though, he once again established himself as a key player following Fulham's relegation to the second-tier.

The 30-year-old featured 33 times last season as Scott Parker's side secured an immediate return to the Premier League via the playoffs. However, Johansen has only been limited to appearances in the EFL Cup so far this term, having been axed from the club's PL squad.

Clearing the deadwood?
Johansen's influence at Fulham has waned drastically over the past couple of years. The writing seemed to be the wall for him following his exclusion from the club's PL squad, which is a clear indication that Parker doesn't rate him as a player capable of making an impact in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, Fulham are currently pretty well-stocked in the middle of the park. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has arguably been the standout performer despite the club's struggles at the wrong end of the table.

Even with influential skipper Tom Cairney on the sidelines, Parker still has Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mario Lemina, Bobby Reid, Josh Onomah and Harrison Reed to call upon.

Suffice to say, there seems to be no way back for Johansen between now and the end of the season. He could be back in the mix next term if Fulham get relegated to the Championship once again. Having said that, however, the Cottagers shouldn't hesitate to move him on this month to make room for new arrivals with an eye on the future.

The Norwegian is already past 30 while he has also entered the final 18 months of his contract at Craven Cottage. With QPR showing an interest in offering him a route back to the second-tier, Fulham should be happy to take the money and cash in on their out-of-favour star.

Verdict
Fulham need to trim their squad in the January window to set the stage for some quality additions to their squad in the summer. Stefan Johansen clearly doesn't have a future and parting ways with him would be in the best interests of all parties involved.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2021/01/24/why-fulham-offloading-stefan-johansen-would-be-a-fair-settlement/

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Fulham midfielder Johansen set to complete QPR move

Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen is on the verge of completing a loan move to QPR.

Rangers stepped up their interest in Johansen following Tom Carroll's injury and a deal now appears to be in place.

The Norway midfielder, who recently turned 30, has been out of the first-team picture at Fulham for some time.

Johansen has not made a league appearance this season and is keen to play first-team football.

He is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2022.

QPR have been looking to bring in an experienced central midfielder, having already agreed loan deals for striker Charlie Austin and centre-back Jordy de Wijs.

The club's need to make a signing has increased now Carroll has been ruled out for three months after undergoing knee surgery.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-johansen-loan-move

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Johansen poised for QPR loan switch

Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen is poised to join west London rivals Queens Park Rangers on loan for the remainder of the season.

The experienced Norwegian international, who was part of Fulham's two promotion winning sides, is set to make the move to Shepherd's Bush after Rangers moved quickly to recruit cover for Tom Carroll, who will be sidelinded for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery. Johansen, who was left out of Fulham's 25-man Premier League squad, has not made a first-team appearance at Craven Cottage this term following the signings of Harrison Reed and Mario Lemina in the summer.

The tigerish midfielder has made 136 appearances and scored 21 goals since joining Fulham from Celtic for £2.5m in 2016. He has slipped down the pecking order despite making 33 league appearances as the Whites went up via the play-offs last year and has been vocal about his need to play regular football in order to extend his international career. He previously had a successful loan spell with West Brom, whom he helped to the Championship play-offs, after being left out of the Fulham side once they were promoted to the top flight in 2018.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/johansen-poised-for-qpr-loan-switch/

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Fulham loan bid for Piatek rejected

Fulham have been rebuffed after making an approach to sign Hertha Berlin striker Krzysztof Piatek, according to reports in Poland.

The Polish international has been widely linked with a move away from Germany during the January transfer window, with his suitors including Juventus, Fiorentina, Genoa and Parma. Polish sports paper Przegl?d Sportowy claims that Fulham, desperate to supplement their striking resources before deadline day, made contact with Hertha about a six-month loan with an option to buy, but the German side rejected the approach as they not prepared to allow the 25 year-old to leave at this stage.

Piatek has made eighteen appearances for Hertha this season, scoring four goals and providing four assists. The former Milan forward, who has won fifteen senior caps for his country scoring seven goals, has spoken previously of an interest in playing in England – naming Harry Kane as his role model.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fulham-loan-bid-for-piatek-rejected/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic: Fulham boss Scott Parker challenges striker to earn starting place

Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored three goals this season; The Serbia striker's last goals came against Leeds in September; Parker: "I think Mitro would be the first to say that this season's probably not taken off as well as he would have liked."

Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored three goals for Fulham this season

Scott Parker has challenged Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to prove he deserves a place in his starting line-up.

he Serbia international has found his game-time limited under Parker this season, starting just one Premier League match since November's international break.

After finishing as the Championship golden boot winner last season, this campaign he has found the net just three times for the Cottagers, with the last goal coming against Leeds in September.

Parker says Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Burnley is a "big opportunity" for Mitrovic.

"He had 10 minutes against Manchester United, [if] the opportunity comes for a start against Burnley or a start against Brighton, they are all big opportunities," said Parker.

"I think Mitro would be the first to say that this season's probably not taken off as well as he would have liked. That's not just Mitro, there are a few probably in that bracket."

Parker added: "I know for sure this year...he's probably the first to be a little bit disappointed, but I also know for sure that he has a big part to play.

"He has a big part to play along with everyone else in this squad, and at this moment the facts are that he's come out of the team, the team have done relatively well and that's part of Premier League football.

"That's part of competition, part of being in the league and the competition in the squad. This is part and parcel of it and what drives the top players on, what keeps pushing those players to get to where they get to - and this is where Mitro will be."

Fulham have struggled for goals themselves recently, finding the net just four times in their last seven Premier League games, and Parker said he has seen Mitrovic continue to work hard.

"I've seen that [hard graft] on a daily basis, of course," he said.

"But again, I always say to the players first and foremost you have to have a big self-reflection hitting back at you and understand where things are, and always having that foundation that through graft, through hard work to keep practising, keep working tirelessly, your quality always comes through.

"Dips in form, you often find with strikers that's what happens - it's the reason they are the headline makers. They have got the hardest job to do, and you often find a little dip in form probably affects strikers more than any other position on the pitch, maybe keepers as well.

"But quality always shines through and he has to keep grafting away. Hopefully then [it] will turn, and I know it will with that outlook."

Parker admits Fulham are currently not "remotely close" to bolstering their squad during the January transfer window.

After securing promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs at the start of August, Parker made 11 additions to his first-team squad in a bid to improve the team and secure top-flight survival.

"At the moment there's nothing I can give you that is remotely close," said Parker.

"I think we all know it's a tough window - at the same time I think we all realise where we probably need to add to the team to help the team, help the players, help us this year.

"But like I said, we're trying and it's not for the will of trying, but at the moment it's proving a little bit difficult."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12196878/aleksandar-mitrovic-fulham-boss-scott-parker-challenges-striker-to-earn-starting-place

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'Earn your starting spot', Parker tells Mitrovic

Scott Parker has challenged Aleksandar Mitrovic to prove himself worthy of regaining his starting spot by firing Fulham into the fifth round of the FA Cup against Burnley this weekend.

The Serbian striker has started just a single Premier League game since November – the 1-1 draw against his former club Newcastle – and Ivan Cavaleiro has been preferred as a more mobile option in Parker's new-look 3-4-3 system. The Fulham boss wants Mitrovic, who has scored just three goals this season after winning the Championship golden boot last term, to rediscover his mojo.

"He had 10 minutes against Manchester United, [if] the opportunity comes for a start against Burnley or a start against Brighton, they are all big opportunities. I think Mitro would be the first to say that this season's probably not taken off as well as he would have liked. That's not just Mitro, there are a few probably in that bracket.

"I know for sure this year...he's probably the first to be a little bit disappointed, but I also know for sure that he has a big part to play. He has a big part to play along with everyone else in this squad, and at this moment the facts are that he's come out of the team, the team have done relatively well and that's part of Premier League football.

"That's part of competition, part of being in the league and the competition in the squad. This is part and parcel of it and what drives the top players on, what keeps pushing those players to get to where they get to – and this is where Mitro will be. I've seen that [hard graft] on a daily basis, of course.

"But again, I always say to the players first and foremost you have to have a big self-reflection hitting back at you and understand where things are, and always having that foundation that through graft, through hard work to keep practising, keep working tirelessly, your quality always comes through.

"Dips in form, you often find with strikers that's what happens – it's the reason they are the headline makers. They have got the hardest job to do, and you often find a little dip in form probably affects strikers more than any other position on the pitch, maybe keepers as well. But quality always shines through and he has to keep grafting away. Hopefully then [it] will turn, and I know it will with that outlook."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/earn-your-starting-spot-parker-tells-mitrovic/

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Fulham boss Parker admits to 'ludicrous' superstition

Eagled-eyed Fulham fans will have noticed that Scott Parker has worn exactly the same clothes to every winter match this season.

Same short padded jacket, under-jacket, grey trousers and burgundy shoes, which makes it easier for anyone needing an archived picture of the head coach – they're all the same.

Parker admits he is very superstitious, although declined to expand on his list of lucky charms and habits for match days, apart from his stylish apparel.

He said: "I'm very superstitious when we are on a winning streak. It's not just the clothes, it's a lot of things.

"I wouldn't want to say some of the things because it is quite ludicrous and people would think it is insanity.

"Socks, shoes and belts – there's a lot of general thought processes along the way. It's a bit crazy."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-fulham-boss-parker-admits-to-ludicrous-superstition

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Our first cup tie at Craven Cottage in almost a century

It's FA Cup day for the Clarets tomorrow with a trip to play Fulham in the fourth round at Craven Cottage and it will be the first time we've played a game there in this competition since a 4-0 win in January 1927, with two goals from George Beel and one each from Louis Page and Jack Bruton, won us a fifth round tie at Chelsea.

We've played them since in this competition at four different venues. It was Villa Park and then Filbert Street for the semi-finals in 1962, back to the Turf for a third round victory in 1978 when a Paul Fletcher goal set us up for a hammering at Chelsea and eighteen years ago we drew at QPR's Loftus Road in the fifth round before winning the replay 3-0.

It's difficult to preview cup ties in today's football with managers usually keen to make a number of changes and both Sean Dyche and Scott Parker have suggested that will be the case. Burnley have reported that Charlie Taylor and Robbie Brady, both replaced during the second half in the win against Liverpool at Anfield, and they are likely to make more changes.

It's the same at Fulham. Their manager Scott Parker said of our result at Liverpool: "It was a big win, a massive win for Burnley. The game at the weekend was always going to be a big, tough game. That's what Burnley possess and that's what they give. They're always in games, they're a real good outfit in that sense and you saw that last night (Thursday).

"I can speak for Sean but of course I think the main aim this year for us is the league, but in saying that, the FA Cup is a competition that I hold in real high regard, with the memories I have as a young player and a young boy."

He significantly added: "This weekend gives me an opportunity to maybe freshen up some things, give some game time to players who have not had those opportunities, while resting some others as well ahead of a busy period that we're coming into. But look, I want to win the game at the weekend. We want to get through to the next round."

Who will play for the Clarets? One likely to come in is Jack Cork who returned from injury to play in the last round when we beat MK on penalties. He said: "We've seen the next two games we've got now (it's Bournemouth or Crawley at home for the winners) ad it's a realistic opportunity for us to progress.

"If you could get through them you'd be one game away from Wembley, which would be a nice thing to do. I don't think there are many of us in the team have gone that far before so it would be good to try and have another go at that. I'd like to go far in it and get somewhere close."

It's been a good few days for us. The win at Liverpool took us back above Brighton and tonight we moved into 15th place when Newcastle fell to a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa. We know the league will be Sean Dyche's priority but, likewise, I'd love a good cup run.

It took a late goal from Matěj Vydra to keep us in the cup this season; his stoppage time goal took the tie against MK into extra time which led to us winning on penalties. Fulham too went into extra time at QPR after a 0-0 draw but two goals in the last two minutes of the first half of extra time won it for them, the first from Bobby Decordova-Reid followed quickly by one from Neeskens Kebano.

It's pointless predicting the starting line up but all of Phil Bardsley, Cork, Dale Stephens, Jay Rodriguez and Vydra must be in with a chance of getting some game time while Bailey Peacock-Farrell is likely to start in goal.


LAST TIME IN THE CUP
It was the season when we conceded no fewer than 89 league goals, when Stan Ternent suggested we kept throwing one in as the opposition hit fives, sixes and sevens against us. But it was also a season of cup runs when we won through to the last sixteen in the League Cup and the last eight in the FA Cup.

We'd beaten Grimsby and Brentford in the FA Cup but then landed ourselves a tough away tie at Fulham who were at the time playing their home games at QPR's Loftus Road. We'd won 1-0 at Coventry a week earlier to move up three places to 13th in the Championship; Fulham were 15th in the Premier League and some way ahead of the bottom three and they had some outstanding players.

For the game at Loftus Road, Stan Ternent surprised everyone by dropping both Nik Michopoulos and Robbie Blake; replacing them with Marlon Beresford and Lee Briscoe. He played Paul Cook in a holding position just ahead of the back four in what was a 4-1-4-1 formation.

It ended in a 1-1 draw and we deserved nothing less with both goals coming in the first half. Alan Moore scored early to give us the lead and send the Burnley fans, many wearing masks brought about by Fulham's Facundo Sava having produced one having scored in a recent game, into raptures. He got between their two central defenders before slotting home past Maik Taylor.

Hesitant central defenders? There were none at the other end where both Drissa Diallo and Ian Cox were outstanding and we were beaten just once, right on half time, when Steed Malbranque spectacularly volleyed home.

The teams were;

Fulham: Maik Taylor, Steve Finnan, Alain Goma, Andy Melville, Jon Harley, Bjarni Goldbaek (Steve Marlet 45), Sean Davis, Martin Djetou, Steed Malbranque, Facundo Sava (Junichi Inamoto 72), Louis Saha. Subs not used: Martin Herrera, Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pierre Wome.

Burnley: Marlon Beresford, Dean West, Ian Cox, Drissa Diallo, Graham Branch, Paul Cook (Mark McGregor 82), Ian Moore, Tony Grant, Lee Briscoe, Alan Moore (Paul Weller 77), Gareth Taylor. Subs not used: Nik Michopoulos, Robbie Blake, Dimitri Papadopoulos.

Ten days later came the replay when the only disappointment was the attendance of just over eleven and a half thousand.

We were superb. Gareth Taylor and Ian Moore both scored in the first half to send us in 2-0 up. Any fears of a response were quickly removed after the break. Firstly they had Sean Davis rightly sent off and almost immediately Diallo scored his first Burnley goal.

We were through to the sixth round and a date with Watford at Vicarage Road. Taylor said after the game that all our efforts would be wasted if we didn't go there and play well. We didn't, but that's another story.

The replay teams were;

Burnley: Marlon Beresford, Dean West, Ian Cox, Drissa Diallo, Graham Branch, Paul Cook (Paul Weller 76), Ian Moore, Tony Grant (Mark McGregor 90), Lee Briscoe, Alan Moore (Glen Little 82), Gareth Taylor. Subs not used: Nik Michopoulos, Robbie Blake.

Fulham: Maik Taylor, Steve Finnan, Andy Melville, Martin Djetou, Jon Harley, Steed Malbranque (Pierre Wome 57), Sylvain Legwinski, Sean Davis, Luis Boa Morte (Facundo Sava 36), Louis Saha (Abdeslam Ouaddou). Subs not used: Martin Herrera, Andrejs Stolcers.



https://www.uptheclarets.com/our-first-cup-tie-at-craven-cottage-in-almost-a-century

[WhiteJC]

QPR closing in on signing of 55-cap international

Queens Park Rangers are set to bolster their squad with the addition of Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen, whose loan move is on verge of being completed, per West London Sport.

Mark Warburton has needed to add some depth to his engine room this month, something that was only accelerated by the revelation that Tom Carroll is facing three months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

West London Sport has reported that the club has stepped up their pursuit of Johansen following Carroll's injury, with a deal now thought to be in place.

The Hoops boss' options currently look sparse, with Dominic Ball and Geoff Cameron the only recognised and fit central midfielders on the books.

QPR are getting a player that is comfortable in any central midfield role, whether that be the deepest one or in the '10' behind the striker.

Johansen's career in the UK started when he joined Celtic in 2014 for £2 million, spending two-and-a-half successful years in the green half of Glasgow before signing for the Cottagers in August 2016.

The Norwegian was a regular in his first two seasons, netting 11 times in the Championship and then scoring eight goals in the following campaign, but their promotion to the Premier League for the 2018-19 season saw him demoted to a bit-part player.

The 30-year-old has not made a single league appearance under Scott Parker this season having not been registered for Fulham's squad following the October deadline, and this move allows him to get some football under his belt ahead of a potential permanent departure from Craven Cottage in the summer.

The Verdict

This is a great move for all parties and Johansen is a player that could be game-changing for the R's.

If he can re-discover the form of his first two seasons in the Championship, QPR could have a real goal threat from midfield to add to Ilias Chair and the prolific Charlie Austin up front.

Of course, Johansen's lack of pitch-time recently could count against him and it might take him a few weeks to get up to speed, but when he is ready he will be a welcome addition to Warburton's ranks.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/qpr-closing-in-on-signing-of-55-cap-international/

[WhiteJC]

'That's class,' 'What a signing'  – Many QPR fans react to reports of potential loan move for 55-cap ace

A number of Queens Park Rangers fans have been reacting to the latest report that they are close to securing the signing of Fulham's experienced midfielder Stefan Johansen on a loan deal until the end of the campaign, per West London Sport.

Mark Warburton's side have already secured the signings of Charlie Austin and Jordy De Wijs from West Brom and Hull City respectively. They have also agreed on a permanent deal with Fenerbahce for Bright Osayi-Samuel it could free up room in the squad for and on the wage bill for further additions to be made before the transfer window closes.

The Rs are thought to have been keen to add to their midfield options during this transfer window, and they have been linked with a potential move for Swindon Town midfielder Scott Twine. The need to strengthen in the middle of the pitch has been further compounded by Tom Carroll having suffered a knee injury that will rule him out for three months.

t is now being reported that QPR are close to securing the loan arrival of Johansen from Fulham, with the 55-cap Norway international far down the pecking order at Craven Cottage and needing to get some regular minutes during the rest of the campaign, per West London Sport.

The midfielder has proven pedigree in the Championship having played a pivotal role in Fulham's 2017/18 promotion campaign registering an impressive tally of eight goals and nine assists in the league (Sofascore). While he also made 33 appearances as they earned promotion back to the Premier League last term.

Many QPR fans were thrilled by the latest update and believe that Johansen will be a good addition to the Rs' midfield options that have been in need of strengthening.

Here then, we take a look at some of the best reactions on social media...

Take him all day long, Great player imo https://t.co/FEjv3cT2jP

— Jord (@jordqpr12) January 24, 2021

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What a signing #QPR https://t.co/d5HvNhzolm

— BigD (@biggezzer82) January 23, 2021

Decent signing and well needed one! https://t.co/DCk7DlkJ7u

— Bradley Powell (@Bradley_Powell1) January 23, 2021

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/thats-class-what-a-signing-many-qpr-fans-hail-react-to-reports-of-potential-loan-move-for-55-cap-ace/