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


Thursday fulham Stuff - 20/05/21...

Started by WhiteJC, May 19, 2021, 01:54:04 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

Results


Wednesday
Lincoln City
2-0
Sunderland
 
Everton
1-0
Wolves
Newcastle
1-0
Sheff Utd
Spurs
1-2
Villa
Palace
1-3
Arsenal
Burnley
0-3
Liverpool
West From
1-3
West Ham

WhiteJC

Jack and Loz Not at the Cottage - Blog 180
Date: 18 May 2021

Opposition: Manchester United

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: Joe Bryan

MOTM: for some unfathomable reason, this was Joe's first start for many months. In typical fashion, he grabbed the opportunity and played a stunning second half culminating in a much-deserved first Premier League goal

Dinner: Loz - veggie curry; Jack - lentil Cottage pie

If there's a ground you don't want to visit on the back of a long losing streak, with players losing interest and a manager losing the plot, to play in front of fans for the first time in months, it's Old Trafford. Even before one of the most apparently random Fulham line-ups ever was announced everyone was sure we were going to lose, and lose badly.

But, of course, we are Fulham and you have to expect the unexpected. And it turned out the players hadn't lost interest and the manager hasn't lost the plot after all. And by the end of the match we all felt disappointed that we didn't win it.

First, that apparently random line-up. Scott justified his rag-tag team by saying he was playing people who would mainly be at the Club next season. But this makes no sense. Areola won't be, Lookman won't be. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Lemina will be either. We like Tim Ream a lot and are glad he got to Captain the side one last time (and did so with aplomb) but surely he will be gracing the MLS next year not the Championship. Kenny Tete, who hopefully will be gracing the Championship started on the bench while Frank, who will want to be anywhere but in the Championship, played for 90 minutes.

Mitro, meanwhile, has been locked in a cupboard somewhere.

The game was an odd one - starting badly but getting better and better as it went on. The Man U players turned up expecting a relaxed evening of a few easy goals, a textbook clean sheet and 3 effortless points. But it didn't go like that at all.

In the first half, while Man U looked threatening we kept expecting them to go up a gear and wreak havoc but they never did. The early sub of Andersen for the unfortunately injured Reed helped but so did Fulham's attacking intent. In another excellent outing, Fabio popped up all over the pitch fighting for the ball with all his teenage energy and enthusiasm. Lemina was throwing himself into challenges with a kind of fatalistic desperation - don't lose or die trying - while Tim Ream showed Andersen a thing or two about captaining Fulham and leading the defence. Andersen was much improved from his recent efforts and obviously appreciated the lesson.

Which brings us to Man U's "goal". Suffice to say, what is the point of having VAR if it doesn't actually work? Especially as the officials later spent ages dissecting our goal from all angles. Imagine if these had been the two "dropped" points which relegated us!

The second half was the most exciting we have seen for many games. The Fulham players were giving the ball away too much but this was a result of a refreshingly direct approach - no pointless passes and overplaying - just an all-out aggressive attack. Lookman and Fab came close and we had Man U on the ropes. Then, for the second game in a row, Bobby Decordova-Reid produced a world class cross and this time it was his old friend Joe Bryan who was on the end of it, heading it expertly into the goal.

In the closing minutes, Fulham piled on the pressure to try to become de jure as well as de facto winners. It wasn't to be but we didn't concede either thanks in part to the introduction of Tete for the tiring Lookman.

We will take the point, which we weren't expecting but this surprisingly enjoyable match raises so many questions: if the team can play like that against Man U, what were they doing in recent games? Why hasn't Joe Bryan played far more often? Whilst we wouldn't have wanted Tim Ream to play every week he clearly has far more to offer than anyone realised. And does Scott Parker actually know what he's doing and is he committed to the Club after all?

Fulham are in a state of flux. We don't know who is staying/going/arriving/departing/being loaned/coming back from loan at any level and we won't know for some weeks to come. Frankly, though, the overriding feeling is that as long as we can watch Fabio and Joe play every week in the Championship things will probably be ok.

Random musings:-

- it was good to finally have a crowd back and this was the loudest we have heard Man U fans at a Fulham match. We went to Old Trafford a few years ago and the fans barely got above a whisper. On the tram on the way back into town the friendly locals admitted that they don't really get excited about a match unless it's against Liverpool

- no doubt that explains why, 15 months after they last watched football live, many left early

- there were plenty of Norwich/Glazers Out scarves in the stand reminding us that no punishments have been meted out for the 'super' league debacle. Presumably that will all be quietly swept under the pitch

- a lot of Man U fans haven't worked out how to wear a mask properly

- we admire Marcus Rashford for his activism and philanthropy but he's not so saintly on the pitch - Andersen's reaction to the "foul" was hilarious

- Tosin had an unusually assured and competent game - a result of playing next to Ream no doubt

- going back to losing the plot etc, the Fab/RLC swap was literally the worst substitution in the world. We will accept it on the basis that Fab will hopefully play 90 minutes at the weekend but, as usual, RLC contributed nothing and we can't wait to see the back of him

This frustrating and disheartening season is nearly over. We want to put it behind us and move on but Monday night's result is a timely reminder both of what might have been and of what will one day be. Fulham weren't just making up the numbers in the Premier League this season - we've played some good football and taken points at unexpected places.

And one day we'll be back. And next time, we'll stay.



https://werdsmith.com/p/5mdPyTnbdvZm7

WhiteJC

Fulham identify Chelsea's Ike Ugbo as potential summer signing ahead of Championship return

Fulham have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo this summer, reports Football Insider.

Fulham's return to the Championship was confirmed earlier this month. Scott Parker having guided his side to an immediate return to the Premier League last time round has steered the Cottagers to an immediate return to the second-tier, after another disappointing showing in the top flight.

But there remains optimism at Craven Cottage and faith that Parker is the right man to sustain Premier League football at the club.

Going into the summer, Football Insider now report that Fulham have joined the likes of Watford, Genk, Schalke and Sassuolo in the race to sign Ugbo from Chelsea, who has a year remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract.

The 22-year-old has just spent the season on loan with Cercle Brugge. He netted 16 league goals in 32 outings for the Belgian side having impressed equally on loan with Dutch outfit Roda last time round.

He's endured some tough loan spells in England previously with the likes of Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United but has since blossomed in Europe, and could be in line for a new permanent home in England.

Fulham will need striking reinforcements in the summer with the future of Aleksandar Mitrovic still uncertain.



https://the72.co.uk/236156/fulham-identify-chelseas-ike-ugbo-as-potential-summer-signing/


WhiteJC

Report shares West Ham's advantage over Mourinho in Mitrovic race
West Ham United may have to see off competition from Jose Mourinho if they hope to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic, but The Sun has suggested that the Hammers could have a big advantage over Roma in the race.

Mitrovic is reportedly keen to leave Fulham this summer. He was unable to help keep Scott Parker's men in the top flight, scoring just three times for the Cottagers.

Admittedly, the 26-year-old has been a fairly peripheral figure for Fulham. He has started just 13 times in the top flight.

Nevertheless, he is seemingly attracting some high-profile attention. The Sun reports that Mourinho wants the Serbia international with him in Roma. Meanwhile, it is noted that David Moyes is an admirer of the forward.

And it seems that West Ham have the upper hand. The Sun reports that Mitrovic is keen to join another London club with his family settled in the city.

That would obviously leave the Irons in a fantastic position to sign Mitrovic.

It is remarkable how many smart pieces of business Moyes has done in the transfer market since returning to the London Stadium.

So it would be wrong to write off Mitrovic should he join West Ham.

It does appear that a move would be a gamble. He would not come cheap – he cost Fulham £22 million, according to BBC Sport. And his top flight record is currently underwhelming.

But it should come as no surprise if he proves to be another inspired addition – if he does end up joining the Hammers.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-shares-west-hams-advantage-over-mourinho-in-mitrovic-race/

WhiteJC

Peterborough United could cash in on Brentford, Fulham-linked Siriki Dembele

Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry has admitted Siriki Dembele could be sold this summer, as per a report by This is Futbol.

Peterborough United are facing a battle to keep hold of the starlet.

Dembele, who is 24 years old, is out of contract in 2022 and has been offered a new deal. However, Fry believes it is unlikely he will accept it.

The Posh don't want to lose him for free next year so could cash in.

Dembele is a wanted man going into this summer. Watford, Bournemouth and Brentford are believed to be 'big admirers' of him, as reported by The Sun in January, whilst Football Insider have reported that Fulham also want him.

Fry has said: "He's got a year left on his contract and we've made him what we consider to be a lucrative offer but there has been a lot of interest in him, and I don't think he'll sign a new contract with us.

"The club's policy is if you're in the last year of your contract, and the club offers a contract and you refuse it, we put you on the transfer list. We've had bids worth millions for Dembele and rejected them."

Dembele joined Peterborough in 2018 from Grimsby Town and has been a key player for Darren Ferguson's side over the past three years in League One.

The pacey wide man has played 123 times in all competitions since his move to London Road and has scored 26 goals.

Dembele had spells as a youngster with Dundee United, Ayr United and the Nike Football Academy before Grimsby took a gamble on him in May 2017.

He spent the 2017/18 season with the Mariners in League Two and scored four goals in 37 matches to earn a move to Peterborough.

The Posh are now back in the Championship but could lose Dembele.



https://the72.co.uk/236184/peterborough-united-could-cash-in-on-brentford-fulham-linked-siriki-dembele/

WhiteJC

Fulham, West Brom, Stoke City interested in signing ex-Golden Eaglets striker

A number of clubs that will feature in next season's Championship are interested in signing 2013 U17 World Cup winner Taiwo Awoniyi, according to reports.

Goal.com claims that Fulham, Stoke City and West Brom are in discussions with Liverpool over a deal for the ex-Golden Eaglets sensation.

Awoniyi is eligible to represent English clubs next season as he has finally been granted a work permit after racking up 32 appearances in the German Bundesliga for Mainz 05 and Union Berlin over the last two seasons.

After this season, it is envisaged that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will run the rule over the Nigerian in pre-season training before deciding whether to retain him in the squad or sanction his departure.

Either way, it has been suggested that Liverpool won't have problems finding a club for the striker as he has also been linked with Anderlecht, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg and Union Berlin.

Given his good performances this season, Liverpool have valued Awoniyi in the region of eight million pounds.

The Imperial Academy product has been on the books of Liverpool since August 2015.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39910


WhiteJC

Report: David Moyes admires player who wants London move, West Ham eyed him in 2019

According to The Sun, David Moyes admires Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic, who is currently unhappy at Craven Cottage.

The 64-cap Serbia international is annoyed at Scott Parker after starting just 13 Premier League games this season.

José Mourinho wants the 26-year-old to join him at Roma, having kept tabs on the attacker during his time as Tottenham manager.

However, The Sun believe that Mitrovic would prefer to join another club in London, handing West Ham the advantage.

Interestingly, the Irons wanted to sign the ex-Newcastle frontman back in May 2019, according to the Evening Standard.

At the time, the east Londoners were considering moves for Mitrovic and Maxi Gomez while Manuel Pellegrini was in charge.

In that respect, Mitrovic could be a forward who West Ham have already done their homework on.

Due to a lack of game time, and Fulham's struggles, the Serbian has only scored three Premier League goals this season.

However, when he's on form, there are few better out-and-out No.9's in England.

Mitrovic scored 11 Premier League goals for Fulham in the 2018/19 season.

He then netted an impressive 26 goals in 41 Championship games as the Cottagers came straight back up.

With Europa League football potentially coming to the London Stadium, Mitrovic would be a brilliant option to compete with Michail Antonio.




https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/05/19/report-david-moyes-admires-player-who-wants-london-move-west-ham-eyed-him-in-2019/

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Special: Fulham Season Review With Fulham Legends Gordon Davies And Robert Wilson

Take a listen to podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club

This episode is a conversation with Fulham legends Gordon Davies and Rob Wilson about the Fulham season. Russ Goldman and Emilio Di Nello also shared their views, and later on they all gave their thoughts on what could happen next season.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/5/19/22444659/cottage-talk-special-fulham-season-review-with-fulham-legends-gordon-davies-and-robert-wilson