Sunday Fulham Stuff - 20/06/21...

[WhiteJC]

Important update emerges on Sheffield United's rumoured pursuit of signing midfielder

Sheffield United will not 'force the issue' in their pursuit to sign Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, according to a recent report from The Star.

Football League World exclusively revealed that Sheffield United were keen on a deal to sign the 30-year-old, who found game time hard to come in the 2020/21 season.

This update from The Star comes as Scott Parker's future in charge of Fulham remains 'up in the air', with the former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder being linked with a move to AFC Bournemouth ahead of the new league campaign.

Sheffield United are now managed by former Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic, which has inevitably seen some of Fulham's players linked with a move to Bramall Lane.

Cairney is one of those, with the midfielder playing a starring role in the club's promotion-winning campaign in the 2017/18 season whilst under Jokanovic's management.

The midfielder chipped in with six goals and five assists from his 37 appearances in that season, and it appears as though Jokanovic is keen to work with him once again, this time at Sheffield United.

The Blades endured a frustrating league campaign last term, as they were relegated from the Premier League, and they'll be eager to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

It'll be an interesting summer transfer window ahead though, as Jokanovic looks to build a squad capable of winning promotion back into the Premier League.

The Verdict:

This is understandable, as there's still a lot of time to get this deal over the line.

It's going to be an interesting few weeks ahead at Craven Cottage, with it seeming as though Scott Parker will leave Fulham this summer, and potentially head to AFC Bournemouth instead for the 2021/22 season.

Sheffield United won't want to risk not being able to complete a deal for Cairney by trying to rush it through whilst there are plenty of off-field problems at Fulham at this moment in time, so it's important that they bide their time here.

It wouldn't come as a surprise to see Cairney potentially want to link up with Jokanovic again though, as he flourished under his management earlier in his career.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/important-update-emerges-on-sheffield-uniteds-rumoured-pursuit-of-signing-midfielder/

[WhiteJC]

Barry Town United move for former Fulham academy product Aron Davies



Barry Town United have started their summer transfer business by signing former Fulham and Wales youth player Aron Davies.

The 23-year-old joins having spent time in the non-league scene with Merthyr Town and Redditch. He also played for National League outfit Maidenhead in the 2019/20 campaign.

An academy product of the Cottagers, Davies spent three years at Craven Cottage after originally beginning his career at Bristol City.

A centre-back by trade, Davies made more than 60 appearances for Fulham's Under-23s side.

He has turned out for Wales at U16, U17 and Under-19 level.

"I'm delighted to welcome Aron to the club," said manager Gavin Chesterfield to the club's official website.

"Aron joins us with an excellent pedigree and coaching background and I'm looking forward to integrating him into the squad at training next week."

In addition to Davies' arrival, Barry have also secured the services of midfielder Clayton Green for a further season.



https://clwbpeldroed.org/2021/06/19/barry-town-fulham-aron-davies/

[WhiteJC]

A tribute to Tony Fisher

The untimely passing of lifelong Fulham fan, Tony Fisher, has hit me very hard this morning. Tony was a generous, kind, supportive and energetic soul who travelled to follow Fulham everywhere, with his trusty union flag emblazoned with the Fulham badge at its heart alongside him wherever he went.

It proved to be very fitting that Tony carried the Championship play-off trophy onto the Wembley turf before Fulham's fabulous triumph over Aston Villa on that glorious May day in 2018. He was dubbed Fulham's super fan having won an EFL search to find someone suitable for the honour and, although he eschewed the title, they couldn't have chosen better. Tony embodied what supporting Fulham should be about – he was considered, caring and passionate about his team.

I'll fondly remember the train journeys to far flung places we shared together and dissecting matches, formations and those mentions that didn't go so well as we waited on platforms to head back home home. I'm grateful for his encouragement to keep writing about Fulham but what shone through most was his enjoyment of life and his love of other people. Tony would never shout about it but he was a regular fundraiser for charity and went well beyond the call of duty to support the less fortunate.

He was a real Fulham character and our lives will all be poorer without him. I hope we will be all able to pay him a proper and lasting tribute at Craven Cottage in the very near future. We send our deepest condolences to Tony's friends and family at this sad time.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/06/a-tribute-to-tony-fisher/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eye Cooper as Parker replacement

Fulham have made Swansea boss Steve Cooper their number one target to replace Scott Parker at Craven Cottage, according to a report in the Sun tonight.

The tabloid claims that Parker will complete an expected move to Bournemouth this week having been involved in protracted negotiations with Fulham over the terms of his departure. The sticking point remains the compensation that the Cherries will pay for Parker's services, with the former Fulham midfielder still having two years to run on his contract with the London club.

Fulham have provisionally put Cooper at the top of their shortlist as they consider replacements for Parker. His track record of developing young talent, both at Swansea and when in charge of the England under-17 side appeals to the Fulham hierarchy as does Cooper's preference for attractive football.

Cooper's stock has risen since taking the England under-17s to World Cup glory, with a squad that included Fulham academy graduate Steven Sessegnon, as he led Swansea to successive Championship play-offs in his first senior job. Fulham are confident they would be able to lure Cooper to London and can easily afford the £3.5m compensation that Swansea will insist upon.

The Sun also suggests that former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, who recently turned down the Celtic job, is also considered a leading candidate to succeed Parker.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/06/fulham-eye-cooper-as-parker-replacement/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'targeting Swansea boss Steve Cooper' as the west Londoners target an immediate return to the Premier League... with Scott Parker set to join Bournemouth after two years in charge at Craven Cottage

    Swansea lost the Championship play-off final 2-0 to Brentford late last month
    However, Steve Cooper's attractive brand of football is rated highly by Fulham
    Scott Parker is set to move to Bournemouth after a second relegation in charge
    Cooper took England's Under-17s to World Cup glory against Spain in 2017
    Fulham will hope Cooper can blood more youngsters like winger Fabio Carvalho

Fulham have reportedly put Swansea manager Steve Cooper top of their managerial wishlist in the club's search for a successor to Scott Parker, who seems set to join Bournemouth.

The attractive brand of football Cooper has implemented at the Liberty is felt by Craven Cottage bosses to be a good match for the west London side, who are also drawn to the fact that they would need to play just £3.5million to bring the Welshman and his team to the capital, according to The Sun.

Parker suffered his second relegation with Fulham last month since taking over from Claudio Ranieri in February 2019 and The Athletic have reported that the club's hierarchy were furious at the manner in which their fate was sealed.


Fulham are looking to hire Steve Cooper after his Swansea side just missed out on promotion


Scott Parker is expected to take over at Bournemouth after another relegation with Fulham

A successful survival push looked like it had some momentum after a famous 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in March left the Whites 18th behind Brighton only on goal difference.

However, their hopes of avoiding a swift return to the Championship were dashed, with the team picking up just two points from their last 10 games, with relegation confirmed following a 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley on 10 May.

Bournemouth will reportedly pay to take Parker, who is only one year into a three-year deal, with Jonathan Woodgate's deal as interim boss running out at the end of June as the Cherries prepare for another season in England's second tier after they lost in the play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Brentford.

Cooper's men lost to the Bees 2-0 in the Wembley showpiece, with Thomas Frank's side also eliminating the Swans at the play-off semi-final stage, in what was Cooper's first season managing a senior side.


Cooper helped England to Under-17 World Cup glory in 2017 with a team containing Phil Foden


Fulham will be hoping that Cooper can bring through more youngsters like Fabio Carvalho

Cooper's experience with young players is also a notable plus point, with the 41-year-old taking England to Under-17 World Cup glory against Spain with a squad containing the likes of Phil Foden and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as well as Fulham right back Steven Sessegnon, who was on loan at Bristol City this season.

Fulham had the best Under-18 side in the south of England, with the team reaching losing their age-group Premier League final 3-1 to Manchester City.

If Cooper can nurture talent to follow in the footsteps of Tyrese Francois, Sylvester Jasper and Fabio Carvalho, the last of whom scored on his first top-flight start against Southampton last month, the future could be bright once more on the banks of the Thames.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9704727/Fulham-targeting-Swansea-boss-Steve-Cooper-Cottagers-aim-immediate-flight-return.html

[WhiteJC]

'Take him', 'Get him gone' – Plenty of Swansea City fans react as Fulham add Cooper to 'wanted list'

Swansea City boss Steve Cooper has reportedly been added to the top of Fulham's 'wanted list' as Scott Parker nears the Bournemouth job.

The Sun report that Cooper, 41, is a prime target of Fulham's.

Parker looks set to leave Craven Cottage following the club's relegation from the Premier League with Parker and the Whites' board said to have had disagreements since.

Bournemouth look to be closing in on the former England man following their play-off disapoointment last month.

As for Swansea, they secured a second-straight top-six finish under Cooper last season, losing out in the Championship play-off final to Brentford.

But Swans fans don't seem too fearful of Cooper's potential departure – he's often split opinion among supporters despite delivering successive play-off finishes.



https://the72.co.uk/?p=239864

[WhiteJC]

Eddie Howe 'may fancy London' after Celtic snub with Fulham linked

Fulham have put Steve Cooper 'at the top of their wanted list' but The Sun on Sunday also report that Eddie Howe 'has support'.

The Sun on Sunday (20.06.21, pg. 65) write that 'Howe has support after being left on the shelf during the summer', as Fulham look set for a managerial switch in the coming weeks or so.

Current boss Scott Parker looks to have fallen out-of-favour with the cub and is now nearing a switch to Championship rivals Bournemouth.

Alan Nixon has backed the Whites to replace him with Swansea City boss Cooper but has also hinted that former Cherries boss Howe is on their radar, and that he 'may fancy London' after snubbing Celtic at the last minute.

Howe is famed for his previous work on the south coast, taking Bournemouth from League Two all the way to the Premier League in the space of five years.

His side eventually crumbled in the top flight and Howe would leave last summer upon the club's relegation back into the Championship, following a five-year spell in the top flight.

Unsurprisingly, he's been linked with almost every job available in England since but was mostly closely linked with Celtic – a move was reportedly agreed before the Englishman pulled out at the last second.

Whether or not he'll take a job on this summer remains unclear but the Football League needs Howe to return soon – he remains one of the nation's best young managers and Fulham could be a perfect fit, but Cooper seems closer to that job as it stands.



https://the72.co.uk/239874/eddie-howe-may-fancy-london-after-celtic-snub-with-fulham-linked/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham plot move for Championship rival as Scott Parker to Bournemouth links gather pace

Fulham are considering a move to appoint Steve Cooper as their new manager, according to fresh reports from The Sun.

The West London side are in a tricky position at the moment with Scott Parker's future very much up in the air with initial reports from The Guardian claiming that his days at Craven Cottage were numbered.

That speculation has gathered pace over the last week with the same publication reporting that Bournemouth were keen to appoint Parker as their new head coach, with Jonathan Woodgate's contract at the club due to expire.

Fulham seem to be preparing for life without Parker and have identified the Swansea City boss as the man to take them forward.

The Sun report that the Whites are big fans of Cooper as he 'would be ideal as he plays good football with young teams, as they aim for a quick return to the top flight', while also adding that his compensation fee of £3.5million won't be a problem for the recently-relegated side.

While a number of other candidates are being considered by Fulham, it's claimed that Cooper is the club's first choice target and so their interest could intensify as the Scott Parker situation looks to get resolved in the coming days.

The verdict

This would be an ideal appointment for Fulham.

Steve Cooper has really showed his worth as a young manager during his time in the England youth ranks and then moving on to his current role with Swansea City where he's come so close to guiding them to promotion.

The Swans will surely be in contention to go up this term, but there's no doubt that moving to Craven Cottage could be beneficial for his Premier League aspirations.

I think that Cooper will be an ideal fit for Fulham due to his open style of play and if they can pull it off I think that he could be the man to lead the Cottagers back to the top flight.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-plot-move-for-championship-rival-as-scott-parker-to-bournemouth-links-gather-pace/

[filham]

Cooper to replace Parker sounds possible.
I watched the Swansea/Brentford play off final where  Brentford playing direct football won against a Swansea team playing what to me looked like Championship Parker Ball.
Are we prepared for more of the same under new management.