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Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 27/01/21...

Started by WhiteJC, January 27, 2021, 12:01:32 AM

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WhiteJC

FIFA allows Lookman and Adarabioyo to play for Nigeria

FIFA have approved the applications of Fulham pair Ademola Lookman and Toisin Adarabioyo to play for Nigeria, according to reports this morning.

Lookman, who was a key part of the England under 20 side that won the World Cup in 2017 and made eleven under-21 appearances, made the decision to switch his international allegiance to the birthplace of his parents last year. National coach Gernot Rohr has stressed the importance of regular club football in selection for the Super Eagles and Lookman has been impressive since joining Fulham on loan from RB Leipzig, scoring three goals in fifteen appearances – mostly recently against league leaders Manchester United last week.

Adarabioyo's application for a switch of nationality has also been approved. This was less of a hurdle as the cultured defender has not represented England at any youth level since an under-19 call-up in 2015. Adarabioyo has made an outstanding start to his Fulham career since moving to Craven Cottage from Manchester City for £2m last October, making fifteen first-team appearances and helping to tighten up a previously leaky defence as Scott Parker switched to three centre halves.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/fifa-allows-lookman-and-adarabioyo-to-play-for-nigeria/

WhiteJC

Michael Owen and Mark Lawrenson are in agreement about Brighton and Fulham

Brighton & Hove Albion host Fulham at the Amex Stadium this evening, with the two sides separated by just five points and one place in the Premier League table

It is a big game at the bottom for Brighton and Fulham this evening.

The two sides meet at the Amex Stadium, with Brighton and Fulham separated by five points towards the bottom of the Premier League table.

The Seagulls are 17th in the Premier League with 17 points from 19 games, five points above the bottom three at the halfway stage of the season.

But that gap could be cut to just two points if Fulham beat Graham Potter's side at the Amex Stadium tonight, with the two sides going head-to-head for the second time in six weeks.

The last time the two sides met, it finished 0-0 at Craven Cottage, with Brighton keeping themselves outside the relegation zone in recent weeks.

Fulham have a game in hand on Brighton, but will they cut that gap tonight?

Here's what the pundits are predicting for the game.

Former Brighton defender Mark Lawrenson - Brighton 2-0 Fulham

"This is a big game at the bottom of the table because a Brighton win would open up a bit of distance between them and Fulham in the bottom three," he said, in his weekly predictions feature for the BBC website.

"I am going to back Brighton to take the points too.

"Fulham have been playing well without winning in recent weeks, while Brighton did not just beat Leeds in their previous league game - they more than matched them in every department and got the job done."

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen - Brighton 2-1 Fulham

"The wheels came off for Fulham at the weekend in their FA Cup tie against Burnley," he said in his weekly predictions feature for Bet Victor.

"In the end it was comprehensive, however, their main target is Premier League survival, so I think they'll refocus easily enough.

"It's finally coming together for Brighton. The Seagulls were doing everything right before Christmas, they just couldn't put the ball in the net. However, since the turn of the year they've improved, with a recent win away at Leeds testament of that.

"This should be an entertaining game. Both like to have a go, and although it's likely to be tight, I think Brighton will just shade it."



https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/owen-lawrenson-agreement-brighton-fulham-4934085

WhiteJC

Why Playermaker Is Taking Its Soccer Technology To Amateur Players


Playermaker's technology uses small motion sensors strapped to players boots to collect data.
Playermaker


For the past three-and-a-half seasons, the young players at Fulham FC's academy have had a small addition to their kit.

Each time they train, the players slip a smart motion sensor on to their boots. The hope is that, through the vast data this tiny sensor collects, the players – and their coaches – can gain insights their eyes alone can't provide.

"They wear them every minute that they're on the grass with us. So we can try and get a clear picture of all the activity that we're doing," Jon Goodwin, head of academy sport science at Fulham FC, tells me in an interview.

"Our head of coaching often says, 'are we doing what we think we're doing?' It's being able to check, are we actually delivering to players ... the work they need and the practice they need."

These 'smart boots' are provided by Israeli startup Playermaker, which says its technology is unique in measuring "foot specific interactions".

Data on technical ability (like a player's use of their left and right foot or kick velocity), physical ability and gait parameters can be gathered and quickly processed. Advanced AI and machine learning algorithms are used to analyze the data, which is visualized for players and coaches to review. 

In elite soccer, where such insights are increasingly valued, Playermaker has made significant inroads. Around a third of Premier League clubs, and about half of MLS clubs, use the technology.

When former Arsenal manager and current FIFA executive Arsene Wenger wanted to see it in action, an impromptu training session was organized in his backyard. He was so impressed with the results he invested in the company.

Now, having established a presence in the professional game, Playermaker is taking the technology to amateurs.

Guy Aharon, a former Israeli Navy officer and CEO of Playermaker, says this was always the goal of the business he co-founded in 2014 after seeing data become more important in sports.

"We wanted to find a way to reach any athlete, in any sport, at any age, and provide them with insights or information that can help them to make smarter decisions," he tells me in an interview.

Three years after its first product was launched, Playermaker has announced UNO, a "lighter" version of the technology aimed at "any player passionate about the game". Focusing initially on the US market, the company sped up the development of UNO during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are fortunate enough to be able to develop the technology that can be available for everyone. No matter if you're playing for one of the Manchesters in the Premier League or a high school in South Arizona, you can use our system and benefit from it," Aharon says.

"Once we realized this, we understood that we wanted to reach as wide as possible, because we can help youth players to be better, to engage more, to fulfill their dreams."


UNO by Playermaker is aimed at amateur players.
Playermaker.


The system, which includes a one-year subscription to the UNO app, costs $249 for an individual, with discounts available for clubs. After playing, players connect the boot sensor to the app to access insights on 15 unique performance indicators, from physical data to the number of ball touches and leg balance.

The focus on the US comes as Playermaker sees a growing demand for its products. That demand has allowed the business to compile a large database of youth soccer players, through which players can potentially be identified for club and college scouts. A Florida office was opened in 2019, adding to the company's presence in Tel Aviv, London and Beijing.

"Today we're working with more than 50 Division 1 colleges and more than 100 clubs in the US," Aharon says.

Keen amateurs aged between 13 and 21 with a desire to analyze their performance are a key target market for the UNO. They might be playing for their local club, academy or school.

"Those technical elements are very unique for the golden ages of player development," Aharon says.

"So when he compares himself from match to match, or to his teammates or to the benchmarks, he knows in what areas he needs to take action."

In the near future, Playermaker will launch a capital raise to support its expansion – including potential opportunities in other sports. In December 2019, the company raised $10 million in a Series B round.

At Fulham's academy, around 100 players aged 12 to 16 use Playermaker. But Goodwin does not collect data for data's sake. He sees the insights it provides as useful for coaches to gauge a player's progression, not a stick with which to beat the youngsters.

"My personal philosophy is that I don't want to make players feel like data subjects at too young an age," he says.

"The younger we go down the age groups, I'm more and more keen that this data informs the conversation with the coaches that helps them (the coaches) understand whether they're achieving their objectives in training.

"Most of the time, (the data) is not being used to hold players to account. It's being used to help us understand the work that we're doing and the development and progress the players are making."



https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2021/01/27/why-playermaker-is-taking-its-soccer-technology-to-amateur-players/?sh=2adfc4c1583e


WhiteJC

Fulham investigate abuse claims alleged by former youth player

Fulham have launched an investigation after former youth player Max Noble claimed he was bullied, abused and threatened during his time at the London club's academy.

Noble said in an interview with the i newspaper he felt depressed and contemplated suicide due to the treatment he received.

Among the incidents were Noble being told he would be dropped if he did not sign with a particular agent and white players being afforded preferential treatment at training.

Noble also said he was forced to take painkillers to practice and that the club refused to pay for his knee surgery before his scholarship deal came to an end.

"I had to pay for my own surgery and rehab. I didn't even receive a phone call from them to see how I was getting on. No psychological help. No aftercare at all," he said.

Fulham said in a statement to British media that they condemned bullying, racism and discrimination of all forms and will "investigate the historic claims and liaise with all relevant parties."

The 31-year-old added that he had been contacted by more than 100 former academy players who had been treated in a similar way after he released a video about his experiences.

"The only thing I want to change is if you take a boy out of school you owe him aftercare," he said. "You can't promise them the world, then ignore them when they're depressed, or they're going through what I had to go through.

"I wouldn't wish that on anyone. The academy system is failing, you can see just by the numbers, it's completely failing."



https://www.espn.co.uk/football/fulham/story/4299829/fulham-investigate-abuse-claims-alleged-by-former-youth-player

WhiteJC

Fulham sorting 'last details' for outgoing transfer as club accelerate signing

Following an entire month of rumours, it seems Jean Michael Seri is finally on his way out of Fulham.

As reported by Tutto Mercato Web on Wednesday, French side Bordeaux have 'accelerated' for his signing.

The clubs are said to be discussing the transfer's formula and sorting out the last details before the midfielder can complete the move.

It's still not clear if Seri is moving on a temporary or permanent deal, as his contract with Fulham runs until 2022.

Tutto Mercato Web recalls that at the start of the month, the player was close to moving back to Galatasaray, the place where he'd already spent an entire last season on a loan spell.

Recent reports from the French media had already claimed that the likes of Bordeaux and Nice were in for the 29-year-old, as other stories said Porto were in the race as well.

With such a big competition for the signing, it looks likely that Fulham may end up finding a good deal for Seri's departure.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-sorting-last-details-outgoing-transfer-club-accelerate-signing/

WhiteJC

West Ham battling Newcastle & Fulham for prolific nine-goal ace

West Ham's pursuit of a new striker has dominated the headlines this month.

The sale of Sebastien Haller has left the club seeking a replacement and they have yet to find one.

Instead, they look set to sign Jesse Lingard on loan from Manchester United, but it seems they are continuing to pursue a new forward.

Sport Witness carries a report from journalist Armando Napoletano, who was speaking to Calcio Napoli 24 Live.

The Irons have been linked with a move to sign Spezia striker M'Bala Nzola, who has been in excellent form in Serie A this season.

The 24-year-old has scored nine goals in 13 games this season, laying on one assist, and it seems that the Hammers are not the only club interested in snapping up the centre-forward.

Napoletano claims that both Fulham and Newcastle United are also interested in signing the forward.

Nzola is valued at £3.6m by Transfermarkt and one thing seems certain: He is likely to leave the club for a far higher price than that.
GIVEMESPORT'S Harry Sherlock says...

Nzola is in electric form.

The 24-year-old has never played in Serie A prior to this season but he is making light work of it, scoring plenty of goals as Spezia look to stay in the top-flight following last season's promotion.

He scored six goals in 17 games in Serie B last term, so one has to wonder if this is more of a purple patch than a true reflection of his quality.

It is little surprise that Premier League clubs are interested in snapping him up, as he is having a great season so far.

But one has to wonder if he will be able to adapt to life in England.



https://www.givemesport.com/1643266-west-ham-battling-newcastle-fulham-for-prolific-ninegoal-ace


WhiteJC