Thursday fulham Stuff - 18/03/21...

[WhiteJC]

If fortune favours the brave then Newcastle could find themselves down and out unless they change

The Magpies have seen Fulham, Brighton and Burnley win their last three away games by taking a bold attitude - and they should do the same

Steve Bruce will tell you Newcastle are unbeaten in three. Every other Geordie will warn that only two wins have been managed in 19 miserable matches.

Bruce will probably insist United must not be beaten at Brighton come Saturday evening just as he did at West Bromwich, whereas fans will be screaming for a positive approach to an increasingly dire situation rather than one riddled with apprehension.

The choice is go for it or play not to lose. Boldness or timidness. Take your pick which it will be.

United have been pathetic at times. If fortune favours the brave then they are doomed.

Brighton and Burnley (who are the next two away) both won last time out and on opponent's soil. Fulham won at Liverpool the game before last.

They have taken bold, giant steps while Newcastle have timidly edged to three draws against no more than average sides.

What Bruce fails to recognise is that in one match Brighton, Burnley and Fulham achieved the same number of points that United managed only after three.

He has Newcastle teetering on the precipice waiting to be nudged over. The Toon Army have vertigo if Bruce is oblivious to it.

Remember Eric Cantona's infamous muddled rambling: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea." Well we must hope his old Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce has a clearer vision of what he plans when Brighton's Seagulls come looking for a rich harvest.

Survival won't be achieved by smoking mirrors, blind faith, or great luck. Bruce needs more than that. Like clear thinking and a brave strategy.

Maybe that will be determined by what Fulham do at home against Leeds on Friday night 24 hours before Newcastle go into battle. If the Cottagers win Newcastle will start their match in a relegation position needing victories not draws to get out of a mighty mess.

On the other hand should Fulham fail to gain maximum points then the Mags will kick off still a place ahead with two games in hand, which would be a great temptation for Bruce to adopt his not-lose policy.

Short-sighted, I would suggest, in the long term bearing in mind the matches still to come, but there we are.

So many players have had so many chances with so few positive results it begs the question: are there others out there who can do better?

Jacob Murphy, Andy Carroll, Javier Manquillo, Matt Ritchie, Sean and Matty Longstaff, Federico Fernandez?

Surely they could hardly do any worse results-wise. Unless rendered sterile by tactics and mass fear.

It's not as though the standard set is so high.

I would certainly favour a start for Murphy and Manquillo. A case can be made out for others like Ritchie.

Quite a few fans would vote for the muscle and aggression of Carroll in Callum Wilson's absence though that would necessitate a change of tactical formation which Bruce is reluctant to embrace.

The argument for the convinced is that Carroll, king of the headers, is made for a challenge like this when all other options have been exhausted. If not why is he still here?

Thirty seconds at West Brom and two and a half minutes against Aston Villa borders on an insult.

It's decision time again for Bruce. United's head coach must make his mind up on who he trusts to make a difference and what freedom he gives them.

There are managers whose reputation goes before them. Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds is an attack-minded coach, Jose Mourinho and Roy Hodgson defensive orientated. Bruce is seen in the latter category while United supporters make legends of forward thinkers like Kevin Keegan.

If Newcastle are to escape the major discussion is where the points will come from. Who will they beat.

Brighton away, Burnley away, Fulham away? They represent three of their best opportunities though all on the road.

Sheffield United at home? They had better. Spurs, West Ham, or Arsenal. Manchester City. Dodgy and debatable.

Here is what is left in the three legged race:

BRIGHTON: Newcastle (h), Manchester United (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (a), Sheffield United (a), Leeds (h), Wolves (a), West Ham (h), Manchester City (h), Arsenal (a).

NEWCASTLE: Brighton (a), Spurs (h), Burnley (a), West Ham (h), Liverpool (a), Arsenal (h), Leicester (a), Manchester City (h), Sheffield United (h), Fulham (a).

FULHAM: Leeds (h), Aston Villa (a), Wolves (h), Arsenal (a), Chelsea (a), Burnley (h), Southampton (a), Manchester United (a), Newcastle (h).

Study in depth and decide for yourself. Who stays and who takes the drop.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-brighton-bold-brave-approach-20181459

[WhiteJC]

Emerging Leeds United talent is already set up for key man ruled out at Fulham

Liam Cooper has been ruled out of Leeds United's trip to Fulham by Scotland boss Steve Clarke in what would have been a catastrophic blow three months ago

Steve Clarke dealt what should have been a hammer blow to Leeds United yesterday with news Liam Cooper is unavailable until the end of the month.

In a piece with Sky Sports talking about the latest Scotland selection for the upcoming international break, Clarke ran through some of the omissions.

As the captain of a mid-table Premier League side, Cooper has suddenly become one of the higher-profile players in the squad.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa did not go beyond telling the press Cooper missed Saturday's Chelsea match because he was sick.

Pushed on why he was missing from the national team, Clarke said: "He's not available for the games. I spoke to Liam.

"He could maybe have been available for the third game, but it's not going to happen. We had a good chat about it and decided to go with the ones I've picked."

Scotland's third match is with Faroe Islands on March 31. That means Fulham should be a write off for the centre-back and the visit of Sheffield United on April 3 seems a likely return date.

At other times this season, that kind of news is enough to have supporters despairing, with options wearing thin, multiple centre-backs injured at the same time and experience lacking.

However, there is not the same trepidation as United make their final preparations for Friday's match with the Cottagers in London.

Not only has Germany international Robin Koch coasted through his first batch of minutes since knee surgery, but the latest pairing are fresh from a clean sheet against one of the Premier League's form sides.

When approximately £30m was spread across the purchases of Koch and Spain international Diego Llorente, this was why.

When captain Cooper had to drop out of the side for whatever reason, there would be international class ready to step into the breach and retain standards in the starting line-up.

What we did not anticipate was the emergence of a 21-year-old coming into the season with zero top-level experience and two starts in the second tier.

Pascal Struijk goes from strength to strength as a centre-back under Bielsa and Saturday, playing with an injury no less, added another chapter to a stellar first season as a regular.

Even with Koch's improving fitness, the smart money must be on Struijk playing alongside Llorente once more on Friday night after their strong showing against Thomas Tuchel's Blues.

Who could have foreseen this kind of season from Struijk. Aside from the experiments as a defensive midfielder, he has excelled in the middle of defence and for several weeks been seen as someone you do not need to worry about as a stand-in.



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-key-man-fulham-20191978

[WhiteJC]

Bamford fit ahead of Fulham clash – Guardian

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is fit after his injury against Chelsea, according to the Guardian.

Bamford went down after a collision with Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and although he tried to run off the injury, he was subbed off shortly after.

There's been no official word about his injury but the Guardian report claims that he is fit.

The report said, "Bamford is understood to be fit after the knock that forced him off against Chelsea on Saturday."

Major boost

This is fantastic news for Leeds.

The Guardian report was a discussion into the England squad, which Gareth Southgate is going to name tomorrow.

Bamford is in the frame for a call-up ahead of the delayed Euros this summer.

And it looks like he should be fit to play for Leeds on Friday night after a worrying sight on Saturday against Chelsea.

Leeds don't have anyone who can replace Bamford directly, with Rodrigo more a number 10 and Tyler Roberts with no goals this season.

MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson thought that Raphinha could have been employed through the middle if Bamford was ruled out.

That would have been fascinating, but Raphinha as a striker looks like it will have to wait for another day.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/bamford-fit-ahead-of-fulham-clash-guardian-leeds-united/

[WhiteJC]

Everything we know about the new Riverside stand
The Riverside development will increase seating capacity, but also "enhance the amenities" for all to enjoy. But what does this really mean? Louis Wishlade looks at what we know.

With Fulham recently offering fans the opportunity to be among the first to find out more information on the Riverside development by signing up to what appears to be a dedicated news service of sorts, excitement about the new stand and its associated facilities continues to grow.

What do we already know?
The club has stated that not only will the Riverside development increase seating capacity, offering an additional 3,900 seats and taking the capacity of Craven Cottage to a total of 29,600, but that it will also "enhance the amenities" for all to enjoy, whether on a match day or not. The amenities aim to turn the cottage into a "world class leisure destination" that not only brings financial benefits for the club, but also provides a place for supporters and locals to enjoy.

The Riverside, which is rumoured to cost the club around £80 million, is set to include businesses such as a gym and café overlooking the Thames. Surely, there is no better place to relax with a coffee? The location, dubbed Fulham Pier, is also looking to host live music, educational classes, a kids club and a film club. Mock-ups have also shown food trucks, accommodation and meeting rooms. Other facilities include a rooftop restaurant and bar, with the scenery showing the river and Putney on one side and the Craven Cottage pitch and London skyline on the other. Perhaps most notably, the new stand will include a rooftop pool, otherwise known as something for our strikers to aim for.

Fulham Pier, which broke ground in summer 2019, has extended the stand that faces Putney into the banks of the river Thames using the technique of land reclamation. This allows Craven Cottage to become part of the Thames walkway, allowing for an "uninterrupted walk along the banks of the River Thames between Hammersmith and Putney Bridges", as the Cottage, which has been the home of Fulham Football Club since 1896, has always been one of few places along the river that pedestrians have had to divert their route around.

The development creates a contrast in architecture. The Riverside will boast a modern look using glass, steel and wood, whilst across the pitch the oldest stand in professional football, the grade II-listed Johnny Haynes Stand, exhibits some of the finest Victorian design, with its wooden seats and brick façade forming the iconic stand designed by renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch.

However, what's most important to the majority of the White's supporters, is that the Riverside development reaffirms Craven Cottage as our home, especially after recent rumours of the Khans looking to add grounds, such as Wembley Stadium, to their portfolio. Craven Cottage is central to the club's – and many of its supporters' – identity, and with uncertainty over our ongoing residence there, such as rumours Al Fayed's planned to build flats on the site as we languished at Loftus Road in the early 2000s, it's music to our ears that the Khans are willing to invest so much that we call home.

What can we expect from the announcement?
The upcoming announcement, for which you can register your details for here, will likely include details on a more specific date of completion, given the somewhat recent announcement that the project would be delayed due to COVID-19 slowing the rate at which interior work such as plumbing or electrics can be done. Shahid Khan recently conceded that the full opening is now not expected until summer 2022, though some seating may be available from the start of next season.

It may also give fans more details on what we can expect from the businesses looking to inhabit Fulham Pier. Currently, fans have to decipher Fulham Pier's website on the amenities that the stand will include, however, the announcement may give us more information on the types of businesses that it will house, as well as the products and services that they will provide.

While we don't yet know what benefits the project may bring the club financially, as supporters we welcome any news from the club – especially as it is something to look forward to having not been in stadiums for more a year now.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-03-17-everything-we-know-about-the-new-riverside-stand/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham: Seb Stafford-Bloor praises Ademola Lookman

Seb Stafford-Bloor has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic's Tifo Podcast about the Premier League relegation battle and other issues.

One topic that he spent some time on was Ademola Lookman, who is on loan at Fulham from RB Leipzig and has impressed for the Cottagers.

Lookman missed a penalty earlier in the season against West Ham United when he tried a panenka and got it horribly wrong.

However, since then, he has gone from strength to strength and has scored three goals and provided three assists as Fulham look to get out of the relegation zone.

Stafford-Bloor used some time on the podcast to laud Lookman's displays.

He said: "I've been really impressed by Ademola Lookman this year; I think he's been really, really good.

"He's been the player we all knew he probably could be during that period at Everton and the first spell he had at Leipzig as well when he was so impressive; second spell not so great."

TIF Thoughts on Lookman...

The 23-year-old, who is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, lost his way in Germany after Leipzig turned their loan deal for him into a permanent move, and a return to the Premier League has allowed him to shine.

We think he deserves great credit for showing that fighting spirit to come back after his missed panenka, as that could have destroyed his confidence, but it didn't.

With Fulham having nine games left to play, they are just two points behind Newcastle United and are in much better form than the Toon.

They could even go ahead of Newcastle on Friday if they beat Leeds United, and to do that, you would think that Lookman would have to be at his best and given the way he is currently playing, we would be surprised if he didn't keep up that form against Marcelo Bielsa's side.



https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/03/blogs/premier-league/fulham-seb-stafford-bloor-praises-ademola-lookman-fulham-ademola-lookman/

[WhiteJC]

Two Leeds defenders ruled out of clash v Fulham

Marcelo Bielsa is seemingly destined to never have a full Leeds United squad to select from after the latest fitness update.

Liam Cooper and Leif Davis are the latest casualties, with both defenders now ruled out of the game against Fulham on Friday night.

Cooper was expected. He missed the Chelsea game with illness and was subsequently left out of the Scotland squad, with Steve Clarke saying he wouldn't be fit until the end of March.

Leif Davis is the new casualty and he will miss the game with what was called a 'minor knock'.

Rodrigo will face a late fitness test ahead of the clash at Craven Cottage.

Mixed news

Leif Davis has made two Premier League appearances this season but has found himself behind Gjanni Alioksi in the pecking order.

There are some fans who wish that was the other way round, with Alioski coming in for criticism for his defending in the Premier League.

Liam Cooper would normally be a big miss but with Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea, the centre-back pairing were unlikely to be dislodged anyway.

Rodrigo looks like he could miss out and that will see Tyler Roberts play in the no.10 position again.

That would make it very interesting if Patrick Bamford didn't make the game. Bielsa said he should be fine after picking up a hip knock, but with Rodrigo out, his absence could have seen Joe Gelhardt come into the reckoning.

He's likely to be on the bench with Pablo Hernandez not even mentioned in the press conference today.

His season has been a long way from how he would have imagined it after inspiring Leeds to promotion last season.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/two-leeds-united-defenders-ruled-out-of-clash-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa reveals England hopeful Patrick Bamford will be fit for trip to Fulham after suffering a knock on his hip that forced him out of stalemate with former club Chelsea

    Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa expects Patrick Bamford to be fit to play Fulham
    The England hopeful hobbled off injured during Leeds' 0-0 draw with Chelsea
    Bielsa says Bamford's injury is 'painful' but not bad enough to 'miss the game'

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa expects England hopeful Patrick Bamford to be fit for Friday night's Premier League trip to Fulham.

Bamford - who is being tipped to be included in Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland later this month - limped out of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea with a hip injury. 

Bielsa claims Bamford's injury is 'painful' but not bad enough to 'make him miss the game' against Scott Parker's side.


Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa expects star player Patrick Bamford to be fit for their trip to Fulham

Bielsa told his pre-match press conference: 'We think that yes, he will play on Friday.

'He has a knock on his hip that is painful, but we don't think that it's going to make him miss the game.'

Former Chelsea and Middlesbrough frontman Bamford has been in fine form for promoted Leeds and has scored 13 top-flight goals so far this season, including a hat-trick at Aston Villa in October.

Bamford's impressive performances put him in contention for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking about the possibility of both Bamford and Luke Ayling being called up to the England squad, Bielsa said:  He said: 'It's a recognition, first of all, for the players, and secondly it's recognition for the project of the club, the structure of the squad to compete in the Premier League.

'It's a project that's been developed by the president of the club, the sporting director and the technical staff, the president of the club, because he is the visible head of the club because he's the one that picks the sporting director and the technical staff.

'After, the sporting director chooses and the players compete, and to be able to compete in the Premier League is what opens up the possibilities, and they do it within a team.

'It's an achievement that makes the player proud and it shows that the proposition that their club made or that they hoped for was the correct one.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9372809/Leeds-boss-Marcelo-Bielsa-reveals-England-hopeful-Patrick-Bamford-fit-trip-Fulham.html

[WhiteJC]

Journalist offers verdict on whether Middlesbrough loanees Bolasie and Kebano will stay next season

In a Middlesbrough Q&A session, The Hartlepool Mail journalist Joe Nicholson was asked his opinion on whether both Yannick Bolasie and Neeskens Kebano will remain at the club next season.

Both Bolasie and Kebano are on loan at Middlesbrough from the Premier League. The former is currently at Everton, whereas the latter's parent club is Fulham.

The duo were seen as dispensable and were shipped out on temporary deals in January. Middlesbrough have been the beneficiaries this season and are seeing the best of the pair.

When asked if there was a chance that both players could remain at the club beyond their current loan deals, The Hartlepool Mail writer Joe Nicholson weighed in with his thoughts and expectations.

'In Bolasie's case, he is on loan from Everton but his contract at Goodison Park will end at the end of the season,' he said.

'There will be plenty of clubs interested in the 31-year-old, so the player will have to decide what is best for his career.'

Since signing for the Toffees back in 2018, Bolasie has been plagued with injuries. He has played just 29 times in the Premier League for the club. He has been subject to four loan moves away from Goodison Park in his short time there, plying his trade at Aston Villa, Anderlecht, Sporting Lisbon and now Middlesbrough.

'As for Kebano, he is under contract at Fulham until 2022 so if the Cottergers are relegated from the Premier League, it's likely they'll want to keep him' continued Nicholson.

'Should Scott Parker's side stay in the top flight, though, his chances the 29-year-old is likely to remain surplus to requirements.'

Fulham are currently in 18th position in the Premier League table and are two points from safety with nine games left to play.

There is a strong possibility they could be playing in the second tier very soon and that will undoubtedly be a determining factor whether Bolasie's Democratic Republic of Congo teammate stays or goes.

Ultimately Nicholson believes it may be too soon to come to a conclusion, with plenty still up for grabs for both Middlesbrough and the loan duo's parent clubs between now and the end of the campaign.

'At present it's too early to assess the situation, with Boro still evaluating their contract options,' he said.



https://the72.co.uk/227508/journalist-offers-verdict-on-whether-middlesbrough-loanees-bolasie-and-kebano-will-stay-next-season/