News:

Use a VPN to stream games Safely and Securely 🔒
A Virtual Private Network can also allow you to
watch games Not being broadcast in the UK For
more Information and how to Sign Up go to
https://go.nordvpn.net/SH4FE

Main Menu


Saturday Fulham Stuff - 27/02/21...

Started by WhiteJC, February 26, 2021, 11:58:42 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

Palace Preview: Eagles' recent Fulham streak threatened by in-form Cottagers

Crystal Palace are in a good position ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Fulham, sitting 10 points and five places above Scott Parker's side in the table who, in 18th, are battling relegation.

That should not belie an easy game for the Eagles, however, with the Cottagers actually one of the league's form sides – winning two and drawing two of their last four matches.   
Previous meeting

Palace last met Fulham on 24th October, 2020, with Wilfried Zaha bagging the goal that nudged them to a 2-1 victory. Down to 10 men, a stoppage time effort from Tom Cairney was Fulham's only consolation.
Team news

New Fulham signing Josh Maja joined on loan from Bordeaux this month and has enjoyed an impressive start, firing home Fulham's two goals to defeat Everton recently.

Fulham forward and Jamaica international Bobby Decordova-Reid is a familiar face for the south Londoners after netting against Palace for former club Cardiff City in 2019. He signed a permanent contract for Scott Parker's side last year.

Palace will be buoyed after their remarkable victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, secured through Jean-Philippe Mateta's impressive backheel and the stoppage time spectacular from Christian Benteke, his record-equalling fourth strike after the 90th-minute.

Fulham are relatively fortunate in the injury department, with only Cairney confirmed as unavailable. Aleksandar Mitrovic is a doubt.
Opposition

Though Fulham are without a loss in their last six away league matches, Palace have notched three victories against them in their last three meetings.

The Cottagers' last match saw them take three points in a 1–0 victory against bottom of the league Sheffield United, with striker Ademola Lookman netting a second-half goal - his fourth from 23 appearances this season. Combined with three assists, Lookman has the joint-most direct goal involvements for Fulham this season.
Tactical overview

Though Zaha has bagged the most goals for Palace so far this season (nine), Benteke has registered the most on target shots (17) for the club. Manager Roy Hodgson recently commended the frontman, saying:

"We have a squad and we can only pick 11. The only answer to that is to make certain that when you get your chance, you take your chance. All too often players would prefer to feel sorry for themselves, rather than do what Christian did tonight [v Brighton]."

Fulham fielded a 4-2-3-1 lineup against Sheffield United but are relatively flexible – usually kicking-off with a back four and switching their midfield and attack depending on the opposition.

The Eagles will have a tough time breaking the visitors down, with the Cottagers having drawn a staggering 10 of their 25 games – second only to Brighton on 11.
The managers

Sunday's match will see Hodgson reunite with his former club. He led the Cottagers for three years between 2007-2010. Scott Parker transferred to Fulham in 2013 and became manager in 2019 – taking the Londoners up through the Championship play-offs.     
Did you know?

The last time Fulham won against Palace was seven years ago, a 4-1 defeat in October 2013. This will be the two sides' seventh Premier League meeting.

Never before have Fulham conceded four consecutive league matches against the Eagles and in just one previous meeting, against Wimbledon, have the Eagles earned four or more consecutive top-flight victories.
How to follow

On TV

Palace v Fulham will be shown live in the UK via the BBC. Full details can be found here.



https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/match-preview-fulham-v-crystal-palace/

WhiteJC

Reliable journalist reveals potential deal-breaker as key Nottingham Forest transfer update emerges

Cyrus Christie will have to take a pay cut if he's to join Nottingham Forest this summer, according to Daily Mirror reporter James Nursey.

Forest were linked with a move for the Fulham defender last week as they look ahead to the summer transfer window.

Christie is currently on loan at the City Ground where he has established himself as a key player under Chris Hughton after playing every minute of the 30 Championship games that he's been available for.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season which means that he faces an uncertain future as he looks to secure his long-term future in the game.

Given his recent form Forest are likely to be keen on making a move for the player this summer, but according to Nursey, the player could have to take a financial hit if a move to the City Ground is to be viable.

Taking to Twitter, Nursey said: "Told that Christie is on £20k a week at Fulham and will have to take a major pay cut if he is to join Nottingham Forest this summer on a Bosman."

The verdict

This would be an outstanding move for Nottingham Forest.

Cyrus Christie is arguably one of the best right backs at Championship level and to get him on loan this season was something of a coup.

There's bound to be plenty of competition for his signature this summer and so it'll be very interesting to see if Forest can strike a deal for the player.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/reliable-journalist-reveals-potential-deal-breaker-as-key-nottingham-forest-transfer-update-emerges/

WhiteJC

Talks over Alphonse Areola future on hold while Fulham fight for Premier League survival



Alphonse Areola is putting any talk of his Fulham future to one side while the club's Premier League status is uncertain.

The French goalkeeper, who signed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain after spending last season with Real Madrid, has been key to the revival of Scott Parker's side.

Fulham go into Sunday's London derby against Crystal Palace just three points from safety and looking to put the pressure on relegation rivals Newcastle.

The club have an option to buy as part of Areola's loan deal from PSG, but the 27-year-old is unsure of his future and will not focus on it until the end of season.

Speaking to Fulham Fix, Areola said: "I don't know, I don't know. My main focus is to help this team. After that it depends on lots of things. It depends on PSG, the manager. We have to focus on staying in the Premier League and then we will have talks.

"I decided to come here because I really wanted to play this season because I didn't play a lot last year.

"It was a great experience but I wanted to play.

"My family wanted to come, we're happy and if they're happy that is the most important thing for me and it helps me."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/alphonse-areola-fulham-fc-future-premier-league-survival-b921347.html


WhiteJC

Adarabioyo focused on Fulham's relegation fight but targets trophies in the future

The 23-year-old has a big plan for his career but he is determined to help the Cottagers escape relegation this season

Tosin Adarabioyo aims to win titles at a top club in the future but his priority is helping Fulham survive Premier League relegation this season.

The Nigerian descent is confident the Cottagers can maintain their top-flight status as they currently sit 18th in the league, three points adrift of safety.

When asked where he sees himself in the next five years, Adarabioyo, who has established himself in Fulham's defence this campaign, told the Telegraph: "At a top club. Could be in England or Europe and hopefully winning as many trophies as possible. But that's not for now. I am just focusing on survival, on avoiding relegation and we have full confidence that we will remain in this league.

"We have so much quality and so much fight to push on and get the results that we need. I think we are going to go on a mad run and stay safe."

After struggling to grab a regular first-team spot at Manchester City, the 23-year-old spent the last two seasons on loan in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers.

Adarabioyo did not play a league game for City, but he was part of Pep Guardiola's squad that won the 2017-18 Premier League title

He moved to Fulham on a three-year deal in October and he revealed playing in the Premier League was his aspiration.

"Knowing that I needed to go out and play Premier League football consistently was the only thought in my head. That's what I needed," he continued.

"Being a Premier League defender is what I aspired to be and being a top one at that. I just need to continue to show my qualities. I felt like Fulham was the right opportunity for me to go out and play and show everyone.

"Knowing Matt Wells and Scott Parker from playing against Spurs sides' when I was younger helped. We spoke quite often after the games and they would say 'well done, you're a good player' and stuff like that. That's how I got to know them and especially Wellsy.

"We kept in contact over the years. He has watched my games, he has given me some good advice even when he has not been on the coaching staff at the clubs I have been at. So having that support there was a big factor.

"It helps that he was a top Premier League player. He knows exactly what is required."



https://www.goal.com/en/news/adarabioyo-focused-on-fulhams-relegation-fight-but-targets/14gymk8tvbefr1eylsstvfr7bk

WhiteJC

Wilfried Zaha injury update ahead of Crystal Palace's games against Fulham and Manchester United

Roy Hodgson has given an update on Wilfried Zaha's availability for Crystal Palace's clash against Fulham, with a fixture against Manchester United coming up on Wednesday

Wilfried Zaha is back in training with Crystal Palace ahead of a busy schedule, but is unlikely to feature against Fulham on Saturday.

That's according to Palace boss Roy Hodgson, who has given an update on Zaha, who has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury against Newcastle at the start of February.

Palace have suffered notoriously poor form in their star man's absence, losing 18 of their previous 20 in the Premier League without Zaha - until Monday night's victory away at Brighton.

But he is closing in on a return to action, although Hodgson has not put a date on when he could be back in the squad, adding that he would need to speak to the medical team about the Ivory Coast international.

"He was out on the field today, training with rehab specialist," Hodgson said in his pre-match press conference.

"I haven't spoken to him yet, but good to see him out running with the ball.

"Still have to wait for clearance from medical department so that it doesn't bring about a new injury or a recurrence. I'm rather hoping that by next week we might see him back."

This is not the first time Zaha has been absent this season, and Hodgson frequently mentions the attacker's "powers of recovery", hoping that the Ivory Coast international can return sooner than hoped - though he is always keen to note that Palace's doctors and physios are loathe to put a firm return date on any player recovering from an injury.

Palace are coming to the end of their crowded fixture schedule following 16 games in the last three months. Their fixture against Manchester United has been rearranged to take place next week in between the clashes against Fulham and Spurs due to the FA Cup quarter-final between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side and Leicester City.

However, with an international break also coming up, there are just two more fixtures slated for the rest of March, with Spurs up next weekend and West Brom the week after. Palace will have the luxury of three weeks off to prepare for a trip to Everton at the start of April.



https://www.football.london/crystal-palace-fc/wilfried-zaha-man-united-injury-19922063

WhiteJC

Fulham have turned a bleak winter into a hopeful spring at Craven Cottage and have their sights set on a stumbling Newcastle side dropping like a stone... it's no wonder calls for Steve Bruce's sacking are growing louder as Scott Parker's stock soars

    Fulham are undergoing a Premier League survival revival under Scott Parker
    The Cottagers are unbeaten in four and now lie just three points from safety
    The mood at Fulham differs a great deal from life at Steve Bruce's Newcastle
    The Magpies have no star striker, just two wins from 14 and sit in 17th place

Fulham's February was looking bleak. Eight points from safety, blunt in attack with little hope of beating the drop.

Scott Parker's side came into the month on a run of 10 games without a win, scoring just six goals in that period. On the immediate agenda were visits from high-flying Leicester and West Ham, plus a trip to Everton.

To make matters worse, they watched on as relegation rivals Burnley and Brighton picked up valuable three points at Liverpool to haul themselves away from the relegation picture.


Fulham have gone from 10 points from safety to just three points behind Newcastle in 17th


Steve Bruce's Magpies now hang perilously above the drop zone ahead of a tricky run-in


Fast forward three weeks and the picture looks brighter at Craven Cottage just as the bleak UK winter starts to move towards a warmer and more hopeful spring.

A four-match unbeaten run - including priceless wins over Everton and Sheffield United - leave Fulham three points away from safety. An out-of-form Newcastle are continuing their slide towards the drop zone and the heat at the bottom has turned itself up.

But take nothing away from Parker's role in giving Fulham a fighting chance. Lessons have been learned from previous failings in west London too. 


Scott Parker has used Fulham's young loan signings to good effect this season

Promotion to the top flight in 2018-19 saw Fulham splurge £100million on new talent under Slavisa Jokanovic but relegation after picking up a generous 26 points left then-interim boss Parker with a club in tatters.

This time around, Fulham are closing in on that total already and while the Fulham boss has been reliant on a new influx of talent, it is a more sensible recruitment plan than before.

Instead of expensive permanent deals bringing added pressure on the new arrivals, the success of Parker's Fulham is reliant on the loan signings of youngsters with a point to prove.

This started all the way back in the autumn - the arrivals of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ademola Lookman not only bolstered an attack but gave two young English talents the chance to change the narrative after failing to impact Chelsea and Everton respectively. 

At the back, Joachim Andersen and Alphonse Areola joined after struggling to live up to the hype in French football. Andersen in particular needed a good season to earn a Euro 2020 spot with Denmark this summer and Fulham granted him that game time.

January signing Josh Maja also struggled to make an impact in France since his £3.5million signing from Sunderland which saw him pictured as the 'bad guy' in the Black Cats' Netflix documentary.


Signings like striker Josh Maja (far right) are having an immediate impact at Craven Cottage

All of the above loan additions are now central to Parker's revival. Maja's two goals earned Fulham three points away at Everton while Lookman netted the winner at Sheffield United. Mitrovic, meanwhile, is not even required.

The bravery of the Fulham youngsters is partly down to Parker's faith in them, irrespective of the disappointing start to the season.

Moments such as Lookman's awful 'panenka penalty' at West Ham back in November and Andersen's sending off at Newcastle before Christmas could have damaged their confidence and reputation but Parker's persistence to bring out the best in his players is finally paying off.

Cut to the mood across England and Newcastle could not be in a bleaker mood. Disgruntled fans, no star striker and just two wins from 14 league games means fears of the drop are turning into reality.


Newcastle, meanwhile, have won just two out of their last 14 Premier League matches

A hamstring injury to Callum Wilson - that could rule him out for up to two months - is a major blow to Steve Bruce's side. The former Bournemouth man notched 40 per cent of Newcastle's league goals before his setback and his replacements up front are yet to score since his injury.

But a greater problem for the Magpies is the general mood around the club. Some would say Newcastle are in need of their loud St James' Park backing but the air towards manager Bruce is somewhat of a negative one.

A January loss to Aston Villa looked like Bruce's time at Newcastle was numbered and while victories over Everton and Southampton bought him more time, the Toon's latest slide means the critics have returned.

After Sunday's 3-1 loss at Manchester United, the Magpies fans raged as Steve Bruce was seen smiling with former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the dismal Old Trafford performance.

'Good to see you're smiling Steve. We're not,' was one complaint while another questioned whether boyhood Geordie fan Bruce 'hurts as much as we do'.

While the Magpies are in freefall, Bruce is remaining calm - by both playing down Fulham's latest rise and dismissing the problems his side are facing. 

'Fulham have had a good week and won a couple of games, which at the bottom end of the table is big. My message to the supporters is that I'm convinced we'll be OK,' he said on Sunday.

He may want to look at his side's fixture list.  The Magpies' run-in sees them face West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester City in consecutive April and May games. On current form, Bruce's side need to be well clear of the drop by then to stand any fighting chance.

Fulham have a difficult end to the season as well with trips to Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United coming up. But looking at the bravery and courage shown by Parker's side in recent weeks, there is no guessing what the Cottagers can achieve between now and May. Up next for them this weekend - Crystal Palace away.

Who knows where the two sides will be when Fulham host Newcastle on the final day of the season?



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9286365/Fulhams-bleak-winter-hopeful-spring-sights-stumbling-Newcastle.html


WhiteJC

Mitrovic back in Fulham squad for Palace game

Fulham welcome back Aleksandar Mitrovic after his bout of Coronavirus – but the backroom team are "monitoring" the forward's fitness ahead of the short trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Chances are he will take a seat on the bench, while Josh Maja hangs on to the lone striker's role, and apart from long-term injuries to Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo theWhites have no new fitness doubts.

What they will take to Selhurst Park is renewed hope after a heartening 1-0 home win against Sheffield United last weekend.

Head coach Scott Parker paid tribute to the man who faces him in the opposite technical area; a man who famously got Fulham out of a relegation scrape in 2008.

Parker knows Roy Hodgson from their time together with the England set-up.

"There were things I took from that time," Parker said.

"His organisational skills, his defensive set-up, and he's a very good man in the way of his personal skills.

"He's a very good human being and his relationship with the players is very good as well."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/mitrovic-back-in-fulham-squad-for-palace-game

WhiteJC

Crystal Palace v Fulham


Crystal Palace's Jairo Riedewald scored the winner earlier in the season at Craven Cottage

TEAM NEWS
Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne has been ruled out after sustaining an injury in training.

He joins James McArthur, Mamadou Sakho, Jeffrey Schlupp, James Tomkins and top scorer Wilfried Zaha on the sidelines.

Fulham boss Scott Parker welcomes back Aleksandar Mitrovic after a three-match absence because of a positive coronavirus test.

Long-term injury absentees Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo are not yet fit enough to return.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Crystal Palace rode their luck to beat Brighton and that win put them one step closer to being sure of staying up.

Fulham are still fighting for survival and Eagles boss Roy Hodgson knows all about that - he was in charge of the Cottagers for one of the greatest escapes the Premier League has ever seen, in the 2007-08 season.

This one will be close, but I am going with Palace to edge it. I'm not writing off Fulham's chances, though - their home game against Newcastle on the final day of the season has got last-day decider written all over it.

Prediction: 2-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

    Crystal Palace have won three consecutive league matches against Fulham for the first time since October 1930. The Eagles have only recorded four straight wins against a particular opponent three times during the Premier League era.
    One of Crystal Palace or Fulham were relegated in all three of the previous seasons that the clubs were in the top flight together: Palace in 2004-05, and Fulham in 2013-14 and 2018-19.

Crystal Palace

    If Crystal Palace avoid defeat they will have their highest points tally after 26 matches of a top-flight campaign since 1991-92.
    Palace can lose consecutive Premier League home fixtures for the first time since a run of three in July 2020.
    The Eagles have won just three of their past 21 league games without Wilfried Zaha, failing to score in 16 of those matches.
    They have conceded a league-high nine goals from outside the penalty area this season.
    Roy Hodgson was manager of Fulham from 2007 to 2010, guiding them to the Europa League final at the end of his tenure.

Fulham

    Fulham have lost just one of their past seven Premier League games (W2, D4).
    The Cottagers have won two of their last three top-flight matches, as many as they had in their previous 24.
    They are aiming to set a club record of seven away games unbeaten in the Premier League.
    The Cottagers are without a win in their last 20 Premier League London derbies (D3, L17).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56143446

WhiteJC

Fulham boss Scott Parker is a much better manager than ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard - Paul Parker
Fulham have lost just one of their last seven PL matches. The southwest London club have produced crucial wins over Everton and most recently Sheffield United as boss Scott Parker looks to close in on 17th-placed Newcastle and pull off a great escape. Former Fulham defender Paul Parker believes Scott has already proven he is a better manager than former Chelsea and Derby manager Frank Lampard.

It's been an incredible revival at Fulham. It's something that has never really been seen in recent Premier League years where a team makes such a transformation mid-season.

Scott Parker has changed it all. Instead of going route one, the easiest thing to go and do is get a big centre forward and get the ball forward as quickly as possible, score an early goal and sit and hope, he has stuck to the way they want to play as a club.

It was very much like that even during my time with the way Malcolm Macdonald wanted to play (1982-84), even when they were in the third division.

Everyone is talking about Frank Lampard and what he did at Derby, but Scott has already proven himself a better manager than Frank Lampard.

Take away how much the press want to be best friends with Lampard and because of what he did as a Chelsea player. Take that away and judge him as being the football manager he is.

When Scott took over at Fulham they got relegated. He's taken the team out of the Championship into the Premier League. Now he's reconstructed a team that started poorly and were relegation fodder and has flipped them around at the half-turn of the season to a side that has got one of the best current forms.

Lampard goes to Derby where had the biggest budget. He went there when they were sixth, he finished there in sixth. He hasn't taken a team out of the Championship.

Scott Parker already has got a better pedigree, yet no one talks about him about what he's got and what he's done. People don't mention what he could do at a big club but everyone wants to give Frank Lampard a job.

He's given them a chance when before they could have been almost gone already. In his pre- and post-match interviews he's been composed.

There's a massive difference between someone who has been given a job because of silver spoons to someone who has been having to go round and dig holes for a living to keep himself in his job.

SCOTT PARKER MAKING BRAVE DECISIONS
If they stuck with their initial centre-back pairing of Michael Hector and Tim Ream they would have been relegated already. Fulham has allowed Scott to bring in unknown players and he's done really well.

Joachim Andersen has been a revelation as a centre-back and captain. He's had to tweak it in midfield to play the football he still wanted Fulham to play and what he enjoyed.

Scott was very intricate with his passing as a player. He didn't give it away cheaply and he's got someone in Harrison Reed in his mould. Tom Cairney was not dynamic enough in midfield.

Up front he's varied it with Ivan Cavaleiro and Bobby Decordova-Reid. He's been brave as a manager. Instead of going on sentiment he's left out Aleksandar Mitrovic - a cult hero for what he did to help get them promoted.

I wonder if that was an easier decision for him to make with there being no fans in the stadium. Without the crowd at Craven Cottage it is has made it easier for everything to run its course without him hearing anything in his ears.

It's worked out for the best because now they have a team where everyone is pulling their weight in every single department. If you look at them and Newcastle, there's a big difference in how they go about things.

Newcastle are expecting to stay up while Fulham are working hard to stay up.



https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2020-2021/fulham-boss-scott-parker-is-a-better-manager-than-ex-chelsea-boss-frank-lampard-paul-parker_sto8149192/story.shtml


WhiteJC

Roy Hodgson "rooting" for Fulham to avoid the drop

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has tipped Fulham to avoid the drop in the Premier League this season and admitted he will be "rooting" for his former club to do so following Sunday's meeting between the sides.

Fulham sat 10 points adrift of safety at one stage earlier this month but they are now within three of 17th-placed Newcastle after a four-match unbeaten run, including wins at Everton and against rock-bottom Sheffield United.

Despite their lowly position, Hodgson anticipates Fulham to be much improved team from the one he came across in October, when goals from Jairo Riedewald and Wilfried Zaha helped Palace to a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson retains a soft spot for the side he managed between December 2007 and June 2010 and once this weekend is out of the way, he hopes Scott Parker secures the Cottagers' top-flight place.

"The coaching staff and Scott have done an extremely good job in improving the side from the team we met at the start of the season and I would quite frankly say there is little comparison between the two teams," Hodgson said.

"At the start of the season they weren't winning or getting many points because they weren't doing the things which I'm sure the management and coaching staff wanted them to do, but now you see they're doing all the things that any management or coaching staff would want of a group of players.

"It's a club I have enormous affection for and, alongside Palace, there's no doubt they would be the two clubs where I would have the most affection here in England.

"Once this game's over, and hopefully we've sent them packing without any points from this game, I shall be 100 per cent behind them in every other game and certainly rooting for them to stay in the league.

"In Scott and his coaching staff they have the men there to do it and they have the playing staff, too. We have enormous respect for them. We'll have to pull out the stops if we're going to be smiling at the end of (the game)."

Zaha is once again set to miss out with a hamstring problem that has sidelined him for Palace's last three matches, but the forward did take part in light training on Friday, alongside Jeffrey Schlupp and Connor Wickham.

However, Hodgson revealed Nathaniel Clyne has joined a growing injury list which includes Zaha, Schlupp, Wickham, James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho and James McArthur.

While Monday's last-gasp win at Brighton took Palace 10 points clear of the bottom three – and within eight of sixth-placed Liverpool – Hodgson admitted thoughts of a top-10 finish are hampered by so many absentees.

He said: "It's achievable for quite a few of us who aren't in the top 10 at the moment. One thing is going to be certain for us is we're going to need the players that we can't use because they're in the treatment room.

"Our squad isn't enormous anyway, in terms of quality and experienced players, and to have so many good quality and experienced players not even available, that's going to make life difficult for us going forward until such a time that I can look at the squad that I was looking at two or three months ago before this injury crisis struck."

As for when Zaha might return, Hodgson added: "With muscle injuries you have to be very careful.

"I just have to wait for him to get the clearance from the medical department so they can be certain that his first sprint is not going to bring about a new injury or a recurrence of the old injury.

"I'm rather hoping that certainly by next week we'll be seeing him back."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/crystal-palace/news/roy-hodgson-rooting-for-fulham-to-avoid-the-drop_436931.html?newsnow

WhiteJC


Scott Parker believes Fulham have a 'fighting chance' of Premier League survival
The Cottagers were eight points adrift of Premier League safety before their victory against Everton on Valentine's Day.

Scott Parker insisted Fulham have given themselves a "fighting chance" of remaining in the Premier League after their upturn of recent results.

The Cottagers were eight points adrift of safety before their 2-0 victory against Everton – which was their first ever league win at Goodison Park – on Valentine's Day.

Those three points, then only Fulham's third victory of the season, kick-started a run of form which included a hard-fought draw at Burnley and a crucial home win over Sheffield United.

Fulham now sit just three points behind Newcastle and are unbeaten in their last four matches, ahead of their short trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

And Parker remains focused on his own squad rather than other people's opinions on Fulham's survival chances.

"It's not my job to persuade, it's not my job, it's not my target and it's not my aim to be honest with you to persuade people about it, to convince people we're a decent team – it's an irrelevance to me," Parker said.

"My sole aim is what I see and the belief I see in this team and giving the team belief to operate and execute in this division and I feel we've done that over a long period of time now.

"That's the main focus and at the end of it, there's no right and wrongs.

"Our aim is to stay in this division, at the moment with 13 games left, we've given ourselves a fighting chance.

"There's still going to be some battles along the way and I think we all understand that but we've given ourselves a chance."

Fulham will also be boosted by the return of last season's Sky Bet Championship Golden Boot winner Aleksandar Mitrovic for the game against Roy Hodgson's men.

Mitrovic tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Fulham's win at Everton but was starting to find his feet again after a difficult season, which sees his goal drought stretch back to September, and Parker acknowledged the issues he has faced.

"It's been difficult for Mitro, certainly at the start of the season was relentless in the pursuit of getting us into the Premier League and then a quick turnaround," Parker added.

"He had an injury at the back end of last season and he didn't play in the (play-off) final because of that, so yeah I think he'd be the first to say it's been a bit stop-start.

"But my constant message to Mitro, to the team and to the players is 'keep facing up and keep working hard'.

"It's very cliche and sounds just like words but there's more in it than just working hard, there's detail, there's training habits, there's that constant belief in wanting to get better.

"I'm a firm believer and my history and my experiences tell me that if you do that and I've done that it's worked and I've come out the other side – so that's my constant message to Mitro."



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/scott-parker-believes-fulham-have-a-fighting-chance-of-premier-league-survival-40136108.html

WhiteJC

Fulham central defender Tosin still leaning towards England over Nigeria ahead of Euro 2020

Fulham central defender Tosin Adarabioyo has given the biggest hint yet that his international future lies with his country of birth England rather than three-time African champions Nigeria.

The Manchester City academy product is one of the shining lights in what has been a dismal campaign for Fulham who are struggling to avoid relegation, thirteen matches to the end of the Premier League season.

With 119 clearances in 21 starts, no Premier League player has made more clearances than the Anglo-Nigerian center back this term.

Born to Nigerian parents in Manchester, Tosin has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels but all his appearances were in non-competitive matches, making him eligible to play for the Super Eagles straightaway.

However, the 23-year-old is hoping to force himself into the plans of manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the 2020 European Championship.

Previously, Adarabioyo was sounded about the possibility of representing Nigeria but the go-between received a lukewarm response from the defender.

Speaking to the Telegraph UK, Tosin said : "We know it's the Euros this summer so hopefully if I keep on doing well, who knows, I could be looking to push myself into that squad.

"Obviously there are a lot of good players to choose from but if I do what I can do best there is a chance."

Tosin's former England U18 teammates Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Marcus Rashford and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have since gone on to make their debuts for the Three Lions.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39086


WhiteJC

Fulham's most decisive player Lookman not looking at his goals and assists pre-Crystal Palace

Fulham winger Ademola Lookman has stressed that he is not looking at his goals and assists this season ahead of the London derby against Crystal Palace on February 28.

With four goals and three assists to his name, the 2017 U20 World Cup winner is statistically Fulham's most decisive player in the top-flight but he's not bothered by such stats and more concerned about the bigger picture.

"I don't look like stuff like that, for me it's just all about improving every single day I can, learn as much as I can off the gaffer and off the coaching staff," Lookman said to FFCtv.

"I'm enjoying my football here, that's the most important thing."

After a tough run that saw the Cottagers play three games in six days, they have a similar run coming up with matches against Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in a space of seven days, starting with Sunday's derby against the Eagles.

On what he's expecting from Palace, Lookman said : "Another tough challenge, you know Palace is a very tough team to play against.

"We need to be at the top of our game also but we'll definitely be going there to get the three points like in any game that we are going to play this season."

Scott Parker's team will move out of the relegation zone with a win against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United lose at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39087

WhiteJC

NEW FOF'cast 🎙🎧 Apprentice V's Maestro

On this episode of FOF'cast, we are joined by regular co-hosts Owen Smith and Gerry Pimm, as we discuss the following Fulham FC topics.

The 1-1 draw v Burnley at Turf Moor. The 1-0 home win against Sheffield United. Friends of Fulham Man of the Match winner Joachim Anderson. Terence Kongolo's COVID Breach. The return of Football to Craven Cottage. The Crystal Palace Game and Crystal Palace predictions. Thanks once again for listening, your feedback is always appreciated to help improve future shows.



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1579

WhiteJC

Lookman: On-loan RB Leipzig forward 'enjoying' his football at Fulham
The 23-year-old Nigerian winger has been turning heads at the Craven Cottage outfit and hopes to continue his improvement with the club

Ademola Lookman has revealed he is enjoying his football with Premier League side Fulham.

The forward teamed up with the Cottagers on a season-long loan from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and has been delivering eye-catching performances.

The23-year-old has bagged four spectacular goals and provided three assists in 22 Premier League appearances this season.

Lookman's performances have helped the Cottagers' quest to try and avoid relegation as they are now three points below 17th-placed Newcastle United and a win against Crystal Palace on Sunday could see them climb off the bottom three.

Lookman joined RB Leipzig permanently from Everton in 2019 and now looks forward to continuing his learning and improvement at Craven Cottage. 

"I'm enjoying my football here, that's the most important thing," Lookman told the club website.

"For me, it's just all about improving every single day I can, learn as much as I can off the gaffer and off the coaching staff."

Lookman has urged the Craven Cottage outfit to give their best when they square off against Roy Hodgson's men at Selhurst Park.

"We need to be at the top of our game also but we'll definitely be going there to get the three points like in any game that we are going to play this season," he continued.

Lookman will hope to make his 24th appearances across all competitions for the Craven Cottage outfit against Palace.

The forward started his senior career with Charlton Athletic before he was snapped up by Everton in 2017, where he spent two years.

The Nigerian forward moved to RB Leipzig after struggling to establish himself at the Goodison Park, where he found game-time difficult to come by.

The 23-year-old forward impressed on loan with the Bundesliga club before he was handed a permanent five-year contract.

Lookman has previously represented England at the U19, U20 and U21 levels but he still eligible to feature for the Nigeria national team.

The forward is awaiting ratification from Fifa to confirm his switch to the West African country, having submitted the necessary paperwork to the world football governing body.



https://www.goal.com/en/news/lookman-on-loan-rb-leipzig-forward-enjoying-his-football-at/1vbcmcqfefqyi1e8lt9htiz4nc


WhiteJC

Carlo Ancelotti admits he fears Fulham and Burnley more than Liverpool and Man City

Everton have a strong record against teams in the European places this season, having beaten Merseyside rivals Liverpool last weekend

Carlo Ancelotti admits that he currently fears playing teams in the Premier League 's bottom six, than those in the European places.

Everton 's record is remarkable this season, with the Italian's side recording better results against sides in the top six, than those in the bottom seven places in the table.

And as he prepared for the visit on Monday night of a Southampton team who are currently seventh from bottom, he said: "I have to be worried because we are going to play against the teams at the bottom (over the next few weeks) where we have more problems.

"We have to be together to solve these kind of problems. I am convinced it is a really really competitive league, a really difficult league. You only have to look at the results of English teams in Europe, to see the league is at a really really high level.

"And you have to consider also that the teams at the bottom are doing well also. To play against Fulham to play against Burnley, or Newcastle is not easy. To play against Southampton is not easy."

It is even more difficult for Everton to play them at home, where the Blues have lost to the likes of struggling Fulham and Newcastle, and Ancelotti knows that must improve if his team is going to challenge for Europe.

"If we want to fight for the European position we have to improve our home run at Goodison," he said.

"We have to pay attention to what we were not able to do in the last home games against Fulham and Newcastle. We want to avoid the problems we had in the games before."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/carlo-ancelotti-admits-fears-fulham-23575179

WhiteJC

Andersen wants to prove Fulham's doubters wrong

Joachim Andersen is confident that Fulham can survive in the Premier League this season – and the Danish defender's main motivation comes from those who have already written his side off.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher – now a Sky Sports pundit – famously claimed on live television in October that he had 'never been more certain of anything in his life' than Scott Parker's side being relegated. Andersen, whose arrival from Lyon on loan at the end of the summer transfer window has been one of the major reasons why the Whites are still in with a shot of another great escape, told the Sun that he thrives on proving the detractors wrong.

"I love when people are saying that we are going down because it fires me up. I want to show it's not going to be the case. One week can change everything. We got seven points last week and we're now three points behind Newcastle.

"There's no need to stress. In football, you always get what you deserve. When we played like we did for months, at some point it had to turn. It's such a big, big goal to keep this club in the Premier League and I feel that from every single player in the squad."

Andersen, whose impact at Craven Cottage was so immediate that Parker quickly named him as skipper after injuries robbed him of club captain Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic, has forged an impressive partnership with fellow summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo at the heart of a new-look, miserly Fulham defence.

"It's not so often that a loan player is the captain of a club. Of course, it's a huge honour and something I didn't expect. It's not something I'm unfamiliar with because in the youth teams for Denmark I was always the captain. I'm quite vocal and feel I have some good ideas on the pitch.

But it's also about how I'm raised. I moved from my family at a young age. It helped me to mature and take care of myself. I also have a dad who expects a lot from me. He's a leader in his work. It's something I learnt from him."

Andersen appears interested in making the move to Craven Cottage permanent at the end of his season-long loan.

"Yeah, of course. It's early to say but I will not exclude anything. I'm open. I have to speak with Lyon about my situation there, so it's a little bit difficult to say because I haven't spoken to them. We need to see that in the summer."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/andersen-wants-to-prove-fulhams-doubters-wrong/

WhiteJC

Scott Parker: 'Alphonse Areola deserves a France recall'

Fulham boss Scott Parker believes a recall to the France squad for on-loan goalkeeper Alphonse Areola would be "nothing short of what he deserves".

Areola, who joined Fulham on a year-long deal from Paris St Germain in September having had a similar spell at Real Madrid last season, has produced some impressive displays for the relegation-battling Cottagers.

Fulham have kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League this season, of which three have come in their last four games – against high-flying West Ham and Everton, as well as fellow strugglers Sheffield United.

Areola also earned his manager's praise for a stand-out performance during January's goalless draw with Brighton, and Parker believes a return to the international arena would be just reward for the 27-year-old if he continues in this vein.

"His first season here in English football was always a challenge, especially for a keeper," said Parker, whose club have the option to make Areola's move permanent.

"It's a difficult position to come into joining a new league and he has played fantastic to be honest with you.

"My main aim, my focus for Alphonse is to keep improving and playing the way he is playing and if France come calling then it will be unbelievable for Alphonse and nothing short of what he deserves."

Areola has made just three appearances for the French national team, all of which came in the year after he was an unused member of their 2018 World Cup-winning squad.

The 6ft 5in goalkeeper has been a commanding presence behind Fulham's back line this season, and his adaption to the physicality of the Premier League has not surprised Parker.

"To be fair before he came to the club we looked at it and thought what do we need. And certainly in this moment physicality, presence, bravery as a keeper in terms of all those attributes was something that me and Rob (Burch, goalkeeping coach) highlighted really," he said.

"And looking at Alphonse and his stature and games he has played, I had no doubt that was what he was. A very aggressive keeper, a front-foot keeper who wants to come and command his box, come and collect.

"Physically very very big, agile. They were all the areas we looked at and they were the areas he ticked those boxes, and that was exactly what we need and we've not been shocked in any way by that.

"If anything, it's just proved even more so that when he has come in, what we see daily and what we see in games is exactly that so he has been very good."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/crystal-palace/news/scott-parker-alphonse-areola-deserves-a-france-recall_436991.html?newsnow


WhiteJC

Adarabioyo confident Fulham can survive

Tosin Adarabioyo believes Fulham have the quality to see off relegation from the Premier League – and the defender is confident that the Whites will 'go on a mad run and stay safe'.

The calm and collected centre back has been an instant hit at Craven Cottage since moving to Fulham from Manchester City for just £2m in October – which already looks like one of the bargains of the season. Adarabioyo has helped shore up a Fulham defence that was leaking goals left, right and centre – forging impressive relationships with Ola Aina and Joachim Andersen in Scott Parker's reshaped backline as the Whites managed to stop the rot. In a wide-ranging interview with the Telegraph earlier today, the likeable defender discussed his England ambitions – as he targets a possible call-up in time for the European Championships – but insisted that his main focus was ensuring Fulham stay up.

"I am just focusing on survival, on avoiding relegation and we have full confidence that we will remain in this league. We have so much quality and so much fight to push on and get the results that we need. I think we are going to go on a mad run and stay safe."

The Whites had let in ten goals in their first three games, prompting plenty of pundits to suggest they were top flight cannon fodder, but the introduction of Adarabioyo and Andersen to their defence heralded a tightening up. Parker's side have conceded just eleven goals in their last fourteen games – only league leaders Manchester City can boast a better record – and picking up seven points last week has put a spring in their step. Adarabioyo reckons that a steady improvement in their performances is now being reflected in Fulham's results:

"It's an amazing achievement. The start of the season was not great so it is catch-up, a lot of catch-up. But now we have reached a point where we know what we are about and what we can do. We are getting some good results and some more respect in the league. Teams are starting to be wary of us and know what we are capable of. I definitely don't think we are a team that deserves to go down. We are a top team and we will keep fighting. There are a lot of games still to play."

He explained that there was little personal angst about leaving Manchester City, where he been since the age of five, in search of first-team football.

"I was fine with it, to be honest. It wasn't the same club that I grew up in. A lot of things changed, obviously, so it was an easy decision for me especially knowing that I needed to get out there and play football. It wasn't the right club for me anymore and it was time for me to get a move to a Premier League team, to Fulham, and get some experience in this league. Knowing that I needed to go out and play Premier League football consistently was the only thought in my head. That's what I needed.

"Being a Premier League defender is what I aspired to be and being a top one at that. I just need to continue to show my qualities. I felt like Fulham was the right opportunity for me to go out and play and show everyone."

"Knowing Matt Wells and Scott Parker from playing against Spurs sides' when I was younger helped. We spoke quite often after the games and they would say 'well done, you're a good player' and stuff like that. That's how I got to know them and especially Wellsy. We kept in contact over the years. He has watched my games, he has given me some good advice even when he has not been on the coaching staff at the clubs I have been at. So having that support there was a big factor."

Adarabioyo reveals that his induction at Craven Cottage has been helped by a number of 'friendly guys,' who he had played against in youth team football, naming Josh Onomah, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Antonee Robinson. He is a thoughtful football and a voracious reader, who has a particularly routine ahead of a fixture aided by Fulham's first-team match analyst, Jonathan Hill.

"Pre-match I look at the strikers to see who I am up against. But, to be honest, I look at pretty much every player who might be in the starting XI, see the way they play, see the passes they might make, the errors they could make. The analyst knows what I want."

The defender praises Parker – 'it helps that he was a top Premier League player. He knows exactly what is required' – and you can tell his confidence is infectious. It's no surprise that Fulham's fortunes have headed upwards since Adarabioyo made the move to London.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/adarabioyo-confident-fulham-can-survive/

filham

So Roy has stated that Zaha is unlikely to play against us tomorrow although he is back in training..
We must be prepared to see Zaha on the bench and make a late subs appearance if Palace are in need of a goal in the last half hour. Roy would love to surprise us late in the game.