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Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 21/04/21...

Started by WhiteJC, April 21, 2021, 12:31:47 AM

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WhiteJC


WhiteJC

A Message From Mr Khan

Our Chairman Shahid Khan provides a statement on the proposed European Super League.

I join with the entirety of Fulham Football Club, and 13 fellow Premier League clubs, in denouncing the proposed European Super League.  The concept will not serve the game or our most important stakeholders – the generations of football fans here in England and throughout Europe who have been as loyal to their domestic leagues, and the opportunities they offer, as they are faithful to their favourite team.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/april/A-Message-From-Mr-Khan/

WhiteJC

Josh Maja: West Ham dodged a bullet in Bordeaux striker flopping at Fulham

West Ham United dodged a bullet with their failed pursuit of Josh Maja in January as the Girondins de Bordeaux striker has proven to be a flop at Fulham.

The Irons were credited with an interest in a move for Maja before the Frenchman joined Scott Parker's relegation-threatened Cottagers on loan, with the Sunderland product targeted as a replacement for Sebastien Haller.

David Moyes held a keen awareness in the 22-year-old as he faced an uncertain future in Ligue 1 after falling out of favour at the Matmut Atlantique, where Jean Louis Gasset had awarded Maja only 11 starts in 17 top-flight appearances this term.

Fulham eventually came to his rescue and offered Maja a move to the Premier League on Deadline Day, and would seal his signature on a half-season loan that carries a £9m option to purchase.

It remains to be seen if the south west Londoners intend to buy the one-time Nigeria international, but his form across the capital will have given West Ham confidence that they made the right decision by walking away from negotiations with Bordeaux.

Maja made his 11th outing for the Cottagers on Sunday as they held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw thanks to the London-born forward converting from the spot inside a quarter of an hour of the second half, after Gabriel Magalhaes was deemed to have fouled Mario Lemina.

It was only the third goal that Maja has scored for Parker's side since his arrival after a brace at Everton in February, after being given the first start in the Premier League of his career at Goodison Park.

He has since started just a further seven top-flight games but failed to have any direct involvement in the scoring, and has only helped Fulham to clinch nine additional points in their quest for survival.

Parker expected Maja to boost the Cottagers' threat in the final third when his signing was finalised, as "the boy's a finisher" and he settled into his new club quickly.

Parker said, via quotes by the Independent: "I'm very pleased we've got him with us and have got him on board, and I'm looking forward to seeing his qualities and working with him."

But Maja has proven to be an underwhelming signing for Fulham that West Ham did well to avoid, having directed just 0.5 shots on target per Premier League game and offered little offensive creativity for his Cottagers teammates with 0.5 key passes, per WhoScored.

Haller may not have set the world alight in claret and blue with three goals in 16 Premier League games this term, but had offered West Ham a marginally superior option with 0.7 on-target efforts and 0.6 key passes on average a game.

Antonio, meanwhile, has seven goals in 21 appearances this term thanks to striking one of his average 2.4 shots on target per game, and has offered the second-most assists (5) at the London Stadium from an average of one key pass an outing.

If West Ham had been the ones to unveil Maja as a Deadline Day signing, he would likely have spent the following months sitting on the bench waiting for his chance, having proven to be a flop at Fulham where minutes have been more regularly forthcoming.



https://www.footballfancast.com/west-ham-united-transfer-rumours/josh-maja-fulham-bordeaux-transfer-moyes-haller-antonio-premier-league-gossip


WhiteJC

Report: Tottenham could move for Graham Potter, Scott Parker in contention for return

According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur could end up looking at Scott Parker or Graham Potter to fill their managerial vacancy.

Spurs decided to sack Jose Mourinho on Monday morning, calling a surprise end to his time at the club just days before the Carabao Cup final.

Daniel Levy has put Ryan Mason in charge until the end of the season, so we are unlikely to hear anything about an appointment for some months.

Still, names are being thrown around already, and it's suggested that Parker and Potter could both be targeted as part of Tottenham's pursuit for a new boss.

Parker, 40, has considerable history with Spurs. He made 63 appearances for Tottenham as a player before starting his coaching career with the club.

The former midfielder moved on to Fulham in 2018, and not only guided Fulham to promotion last season, but has also had them fighting valiantly against the drop this term.

That still feels like a major step up for Parker, and fans may be more interested in the Potter rumour given his fine work at Brighton and Hove Albion, with Pep Guardiola even branding him 'the best English manager' around right now.

Formerly of Ostersunds and Swansea City, Potter has Brighton playing some superb football, but their poor finishing has let them down this season, meaning the Seagulls aren't yet safe from relegation.

You have to imagine that Harry Kane and Son Heung-min would thrive in such a system, and Potter should certainly be a key name on Tottenham's wish list this summer.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/04/20/report-tottenham-could-move-for-graham-potter-scott-parker-in-contention-for-return/

WhiteJC

Newcastle United's run-in suddenly has a very different feel, and they must take advantage

After accepting gifts from West Ham, can Steve Bruce's side kick on against Liverpool and Arsenal to seal their Premier League safety?

Newcastle go for a free hit away to abdicating champions Liverpool bolstered by the absolute generosity of West Ham when offering up the possibility of three points instead of steam rolling in pursuit of a Champions League place.

The more days that have passed the more we realise the Hammers walked among us bearing multiple gifts while we offer absolutely no apology for taking advantage.

After what we have been put through this awful campaign we deserved an even break and boy did we get it.

May I add that after Liverpool comes another opportunity to unexpectedly cash-in on what at first looked like a fearsome run of games.

Normally speaking Arsenal would be viewed with trepidation after beating the Mags twice already this season.

However the Gunners' progress to the last four of the Europa League means that they will visit Tyneside in between the two legs of their semi-final which given their average league standing means Newcastle represents the least important in a run of three games.

Arsenal will be in European action away to Villarreal on Thursday April 29 before hosting the Spaniards in the return on Thursday May 6 with the Premier League fixture against Newcastle set for the weekend in between.

The Gooners could actually field a weakened side at SJP in view of what is to come.

United of course cannot call upon their goalscoring midfielder Joe Willock because he is ineligible to face his parent club but a rare chance will still lie with them rather than their visitors.

This sort of change to what initially appears to be an awesome challenge often occurs late in a season when priorities are reassessed.

Targets can shift out of necessity - Europe rather than league - or in some circumstances with goals out of reach players can revert to thoughts of flip flops and sun loungers on an Ibiza beach.

Newcastle's last two matches, for example, will present much less of a challenge than if Sheffield United and Fulham had been fighting for their very lives.

Sheffield United are already down with nothing to play for at SJP while Fulham will in all probability be sitting next to them on the relegation express by the time the Mags visit Craven Cottage.

No doubt Steve Bruce was privately looking at the nine points available against Arsenal, Sheff U and Fulham when he talked optimistically this week of Newcastle matching or topping last season's tally of 44 points.

United are currently on 35 and so it is possible though still a tall order.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-run-suddenly-very-20425189

WhiteJC