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Monday Fulham Stuff - 02/08/21...

Started by WhiteJC, August 02, 2021, 08:30:28 AM

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WhiteJC

Fresh twist emerges in Fulham's pursuit of ten-goal striker

Fulham are attempting to renegotiate their agreement with Flamengo over the signing of striker Rodrigo Muniz, Brazilian journalist Vene Casagrande has claimed.

It was reported earlier this week that Fulham had won the race to sign the 20-year-old, despite interest from a number of other clubs.

Now however, it seems that Fulham are keen to chance the terms of the price they are paying to Flamengo for the signing of Muniz.

According to this latest update, Fulham had been set to £6.8million for Muniz, with payments spilt over the next two years, and Flamengo holding a 20% sell-on clause.

But with Fulham having now apparently found out that Flamengo had agreed to sell Muniz to Middlesbrough for £5.1million with a sell-on clause, the Cottagers are said to be looking to alter their agreement with the Brazilian club with regards to the striker.

It is thought that the two clubs will hold talks again on Monday over a deal for Muniz, who has scored ten goals in 32 appearances for Flamengo to date.

On Saturday, it emerged that Muniz has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning any move is likely to be delayed anyway.

The Verdict

I don't really blame Fulham for their stance here.

If Middlesbrough were able to agree a cheaper fee for Muniz with Flamengo, then it may be the case that Fulham themselves will now be able to do the same.

Given how tight finances are for clubs across the country at the minute, it would surely make sense for them to try and retain as many funds as they can from this signing.

However, they may have to be careful not to try to reduce this deal too much here, and push Flamengo away from a deal altogether.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fresh-twist-emerges-in-fulhams-pursuit-of-ten-goal-striker/

WhiteJC

In loving memory of Danny Fullbrook

Today is Danny Fullbrook's birthday. We sadly lost one of the most talented members of football's journalistic community far too early to cancer some nine years ago, but the former Daily Star football correspondent's memory lives on in many ways. From the community projects funded by schemes sponsored by the Fulham Foundation and a set of schemes to support the sports writers of the future by national newspapers and local football clubs alike, to the fact that on a purely personal level, I can't help wondering what Danny would have made of any major sporting development when a big story breaks.

Danny was a major influence on my own early journalistic career – encouraging me to write regularly and quickly becoming a regular correspondent via email after meeting me on the walk away from Craven Cottage one afternoon. He became an enthusiastic supporter of this site – offering his advice and typically forthright opinions – as a lifelong Fulham fan. He was one of the old school of sports journalists, someone who recognised that he was doing the best job in the world, and had a responsibility to tell it how it was – both for the fans who would read his copy and to make sure he was reporting the right information, a quality which earned him the trust of everyone within the game.

Dave Kidd, one of Danny's colleagues and another Fulham supporter, once said he had a perception of Fulham fans as rather shy and reserved until he met Danny. He was lively, for sure, but he was also extremely generous with his time and cared passionately about the next generation. His column contained the 'Fearless' moniker that summed Fullbrook up, none more so than when he battled cancer with the sort of vigour which he chased down every story. Danny didn't mind telling people when they were wrong, as he memorably did Thierry Henry after a post-match press conference on September 11 when the Frenchman was moaning about the injustice of a disallowed goal. The simple rejoinder that most people would be preoccupied by more important matters at that point did the trick.

In the aftermath of Danny's sad passing, when the tributes flowed from right across football and the media, and an emotional funeral, I made a commitment to continue this site – which has covered events at Craven Cottage since 2003 – in his memory. It hasn't always been easy, but we're also determined to try and tackle Fulham issues fairly, forthrightly and accurately. Danny loved a good debate and that's what we'll have here. We also pledged to try and offer a home for the talented football writers of tomorrow. We're immensely proud of the progress made by contributors past and present in their journalism careers, especially the superb Lydia Campbell at BBC Sport, and have recently recruited a number of Fulham fans with ambitions to follow in their footsteps as new writers. If you'd like a crack at covering Fulham, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

That's the best way that we can pay tribute to Danny, whose generosity of spirit and time, took our idea to be a home for Craven Cottage comment to heights we couldn't have dreamed of when we got going in 2003. I still picture how he would have celebrated Joe Bryan's brilliant free kick that beat Brentford at Wembley, where the media centre carries a plaque denoting his contribution to sports journalism, or England's remarkable progress at this summer's European Championship. Loudly, for certain. He'll always be with us – and hopefully we can carry his legacy forward together.

Our thoughts as always are with Danny's colleagues as well as Jim, Sylvia, Jo and Edward today.




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/in-loving-memory-of-danny-fullbrook/

WhiteJC

Paulo Gazzaniga sends positive message following Fulham debut

Paulo Gazzaniga made the short trip from North London to the west of the capital a week ago, departing Tottenham Hotspur after four years with the club.

The 29-year-old made 22 appearances for Spurs during that time, after making the move from Southampton.

With the shot-stopper now embarking on a new challenge in England's second-tier, he will hope for regular first-team football – something that has evaded him in recent years.

Gazzaniga played the full 90 minutes during yesterday's 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic, in what was Fulham's final game of pre-season.

Taking to social media after the game, Gazzaniga tweeted: "Win and clean sheet in my first game at Craven Cottage! Great feeling! Nice to meet you, @FulhamFC fans!"

Fulham begin their Championship campaign a week today, with Marco Silva's side set to host Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough.

Gazzaniga will be hoping to retain the number 1 shirt for that tie, in a tough opening fixture for the newly-relegated Championship club.

The verdict

Gazzaniga needs first-team football as his career thus far has revolved around being back-up to a seemingly immovable first-choice goalkeeper.

It seems that the 29-year-old is finally going to be awarded, or at least considered in playing regular minutes during this upcoming campaign. Gazzaniga is still 29 years old, and as a goalkeeper, he potentially has many more years at this level

His Premier League experience and obvious ability will be required this season – a year where bouncing back to the top tier is the ultimate priority.

The former Spurs goalkeeper is someone who is competent enough with the ball at his feet and will fit in with Fulham's possession-based style of football.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/paulo-gazzaniga-sends-positive-message-following-fulham-debut/


WhiteJC

Fulham boss Silva pleased with two youngsters and the clean sheet

Marco Silva was pleased that Fulham kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win against Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
A Fabio Carvalho first-half strike was enough to beat the Addicks in both teams' final pre-season outing, before their respective seasons get underway on August 7.
Silva told Fulham's club website: "It was a good way to end pre-season. Not just because we won the game – that is always important – but keeping a clean sheet is even more important.
"It's really important for us a team we have the feeling after the match that we didn't concede. That means we did our jobs off the ball.
"The goal we scored was a good example of the moves that we asked them to do in training, and they did. It gives confidence to our players and they are doing their best.
"It's always important to win a football match – it gives our players confidence. It's our first match at Craven Cottage and it's important to get used to playing with the fans in the stadium and next week, there will be more people inside the stadium and that will be a big help for us."
Silva was impressed with the displays of two youngsters – Carvalho, 18, and 21-year-old Australian, Tyrese Francois.
"Fabio played some Premier League games last season," he said. "Maybe many people expect to see Fabio playing well and not Francois, but Francois is doing really well.
"Every single day, he is improving. He is getting his chances, getting more minutes in his legs, and he had a very good game this afternoon. They did well, and not just today to be honest.
"For me it's the same if you are 18, 19 or 30. You get the chance and they got it and they are doing well. Fabio is a good example, and Francois as well."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/fulham-boss-silva-pleased-with-two-youngsters-and-the-clean-sheet/

WhiteJC

Early encouragement on our Cottage return

Fulham fans got their first viewing of Marco Silva's Fulham on Saturday in the final pre-season friendly prior to the season opener at Middlesbrough. Having arrived at the Cottage full of anticipation, a traffic incident caused the Fulham bus to arrive late, there was a period to enjoy a £5 Carlsberg or two and admire the sheer size of the new and improved Riverside Stand. It was fun that the largest and heaviest rainfall came whilst in no-man's land and walking through Bishop's Park so with damp clothes, wet shoes and a sorry soul – we awaited the arrival of the Fulham coach as Charlton's players strolled around the pitch.

I'm sure you'll all see at the Middlesbrough game or some point across the season but the new stand is seriously sexy, it makes you dream of one day being able to do the same with the Putney and Hammersmith Ends. As usual, the keepers came out to warm up first with Paolo Gazzaniga's presence was notable. He's much bigger than I really remembered from his time at Tottenham and Southampton and compared to young Luca Ashby-Hammond, it looked rather like man and a boy. The warm up was interesting given what unfolded when the rest of the players emerged from the tunnel.

Whilst there were the typical movement related drills there was a period where the 10 outfielders split up into two sets of 5. The first five (Kenny Tete, Tosin, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson and Tyrese Francois) worked on moving the ball with Francois, the 21 year old academy product from Australia as the catalyst for a lot of the circulation between here and the back four. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa joined Anthony Knockaert, Fabio Carvalho, Neeskens Kebano and Aleksandar Mitrovic on shooting drills; the much welcome return of Luis Boa Morte around Craven Cottage laying off for the attacking players to take aim. The next notable drill was then Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo playing passes wide to Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson with the two full backs taking turns to deliver crosses into the box for a mix of three players – one moving to the front post, one to the back box and another around the penalty spot.

Whilst that may be inconsequential to many it was a preview of the patterns of play to keep an eye on through the season. That continued throughout the game, Anthony Knockaert and Neeskens Kebano constantly looked to dart behind with passes to be clipped through and whenever the ball was wide, the full backs would enthusiastically look to support forward play, more notably with Antonee Robinson and Neeskens Kebano than Anthony Knockaert and Kenny Tete, with Knockaert coming more central and looking like the French winger we all know and love. Vertical running off the ball was particular prominent and should be a key feature of Silva-ball as the opening goal came from a perfect through pass from Tyrese Francois to his fellow academy product Fabio Carvalho who perfectly timed his run to finish past Charlton's Craig MacGillivray.

You could definitely see Fulham were working on some patterns of play and some aspects tactically yet to be perfected – perhaps understandably given how short Silva's spell working with the squad has been. It still smacked of pre-season as both sets of players weren't playing with the same intensity as they would do in a month's time after a few league games under their belt. Paolo Gazzaniga didn't have a save to make but showed his size and experience to claim crosses when they did come in. Tim Ream was imperious leaving Jayden Stockley and Conor Washington feeding on scraps.

But, Marco Silva's black and white army is a go and as the intensity picks up and the weeks of training continue, we'll see how the early glimpses translate into concrete performances when the Championship campaign begins shortly. This was an encouraging afternoon where you see how we can develop, especially considering the acquisition of Harry Wilson as an almost number ten off the right and Rodrigo Muniz, who Warnock described as being 'a different option with energy and pace'. Running in behind can compliment Aleksandar Mitrovic or pose a different probem for defences and we're yet to see how Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Ivan Cavaleiro and perhaps Michael Hector slot into the Silva system.

All in all, it was great to have live football back. The commute over to Putney, the walk through Bishop's Park, the people and community, the songs remembering Kevin McDonald and Tony Fisher alongside the usual banter directed at the opposition. It was wonderful to back at our historic home again – and the signs are good for a positive start to the season.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/early-encouragement-on-our-cottage-return/

WhiteJC

Fulham interested in Siriki Dembele

Fulham are interested in a deal to bring Siriki Dembele to Craven Cottage this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by The Sun, who claimed that the Cottagers, as well as fellow Championship clubs Bournemouth and Stoke City, are considering a move for the Peterborough United centre-forward in the summer transfer window, with Posh believed to be demanding a fee of around £4m to part with the striker.

However, the report added that the three interested clubs are only willing to pay around £2.5m for the 24-year-old, something which could well prove a big stumbling block in a potential move for the forward.

Imagine him and Muniz

With Tony Khan seemingly close to landing the highly-rated Rodrigo Muniz this summer, having already sealed the signing of Harry Wilson, Fulham's attacking lineup next season would certainly appear to be a mouthwatering one should the director of football operations subsequently secure a further deal for Dembele

Indeed, while Jonson Clarke-Harris' 31 League One goals stole the headlines for Peterborough last season, Dembele was arguably even more influential in the club's promotion-winning campaign.

Over his 42 league appearances, the £1.08m-rated man scored 11 goals, registered 10 assists and created a whopping 17 big chances for his teammates, taking 1.8 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the player who Barry Fry called a "dazzling" talent earn a seasonal Sofascore match rating of 7.06, ranking him as the club's joint seventh-best performer in the league in 2020/21.

As such, with the 24-year-old possessing a clear eye for goal, in addition to being incredibly creative, a front three consisting of Dembele, Wilson and Muniz or Aleksandar Mitrovic would undoubtedly strike fear into a great many Championship defences next term. We believe that Khan should do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Posh forward this summer.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-transfer-rumours/fulham-transfer-news-siriki-dembele-peterborough-united-marco-silva-the-championship


WhiteJC

Getting the best from Aleksandar Mitrovic

However tough a time he had last season, Aleksandar Mitrovic remains Fulham's best route back to the Premier League. The Serbian striker is a proven goalscorer in the Championship – as he proven across a couple of stellar seasons at Craven Cottage – and will give any central defensive pairing a serious run for their money. It remains baffling that Mitrovic made only thirteen league starts under Scott Parker last year and you could hardly blame our talisman for considering pastures new had the now Bournemouth manager still been in place this summer.

Perhaps the biggest boost from Marco Silva's first press conference at Motspur Park was just how warmly he spoke about Mitrovic's qualities and importance to the side. It isn't rocket science after his 26-goal return in Fulham's last promotion, but a different type of man management is needed when dealing with a character like our number nine. Mitrovic needs a head coach who believes in him, puts an arm around his shoulder and makes him the focal point of the attack. He thrived under compatriot Slavisa Jokanovic at Craven Cottage because his belief was rebuilt after being frozen out at St. James' Park – and the hope is that Silva can coax that sort of unplayable form from him again.

I wonder if the return of supporters to grounds this season will actually provide the biggest boost for Mitrovic, who relishes the battle on the field, and clearly gets a lift from the roar of the crowd. He wants to be loved – and you could see from the way he abandoned a television interview to run to the Fulham faithful when 'Mitro's on fire' started playing after the play-off final at Wembley that he enjoys a special relationship with the fanbase. He thrives from the backing of the crowd – and even an extra ten per cent could be crucial as we contemplate the chaos of another Championship season.

It isn't difficult to imagine how Silva will seek to deploy Mitrovic after the Portuguese head coach used Troy Deeney and Cenk Tosun as target men in his time at Watford and Everton respectively. The Serbian striker, so strong in the air and a force to be reckoned with in the box, never got the sort of service that he thrives upon during the Parker era – which makes his goal return in the promotion season all the more remarkable. His most regular source of a dangerous cross was from Joe Bryan in 2020 and that partnership might prove productive again this term.

Mitrovic might not be blessed with the sort of pace that allows the modern striker to beat a backline that has pushed high up the field, but his hold-up play is second to none. He might not have been at his dominant best against Charlton in Fulham's final pre-season friendly yesterday, but that is no surprise given he has only had two weeks of training at Motspur Park. There were still a couple of deft touches to set up chances for others and it is interesting to see him absolutely breaking his neck to try and join Fabio Carvalho in the box as the goalscorer latched onto Tyrese Francois' brilliant through ball. The hunger is definitely there.

There's no doubt that utilising Mitrovic as the focal point of the Fulham attack is the best way to guarantee goals. Mitrovic might well benefit from early cross from the likes of Harry Wilson, Bryan, Ivan Cavaleiro or Knockaert but he is also a hulking presence that needs to be monitored by opposition defences. He can suck several defenders towards him, creating space for others around and inside the box, and his reading of the game is often unremarked upon.

Mitrovic will benefit more than most from the fresh start at the Cottage. It was clear that there was disconnect between our talisman and Fulham's previous manager last term, but Silva has left nobody in any doubt as to just how highly he rates the former Newcastle forward. He won't need reminding that Serbia have profited from Mitrovic being at the heart of almost every attack and, once he has blown off the cobwebs following his summer honeymoon, the Championship will be terrified. I'm certain we'll be hearing Gala hit over and over again this season.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/getting-the-best-from-aleksandar-mitrovic/

WhiteJC

How superb Steed Malbranque stole our hearts

It is twenty years today since the then French under-21 skipper Steed Malbranque swapped Lyon for Fulham in a £4.5m deal. The move wasn't anywhere close to being the most high-profile in a summer of serious spending as Jean Tigana readied his charges for life in the top flight, but the diminutive playmaker quickly became one of the most important figures in Fulham's side and a cult hero at Craven Cottage. He married magnificent technical ability, honed at Clarefontaine under the tutelage of Christian Damiano, with an insatiable work ethic and remains – for my money – one of the most underrated Premier League performers, despite spending almost a decade in the top flight.

Away from the football, Malbranque was quiet and unassuming. He largely kept himself to himself and had to be cajoled into giving interviews, believing that nobody could possibly be interested in what he might have to say. In Malbranque's mind, he did all his talking on the pitch. He had already announced himself to Fulham fans before he had actually signed with a superb display at Selhurst Park, where he appeared as a trialist running rings around Crystal Palace, and the salute of 'Steeeeeeeeeeed' was born. So bashful was the Frenchman that he initially had to be convinced that the Craven Cottage crowd weren't booing him, but once he was put right he grew to enjoy the chant – gesturing to the Hammersmith End for more after scoring on a frequent basis.

It didn't take long for his skills to be appreciated in English football. Fulham struggled for goals after a bright start to life amongst the elite, but Malbranque was their most potent threat – scoring ten times in his first season by the river Thames – as he drifted into dangerous positions from the point of a midfield diamond with remarkably regularity. He played his part in the premature end to Jaap Stam's Manchester United career making Louis Saha's second goal at Old Trafford in the Whites' astonishing display against the champions on the opening day and opened his Fulham account with a beautiful finish that briefly brought parity against Arsenal, who had tried to sign him as an eighteen year-old.

A brilliant brace beat Southampton at the end of September before he clinched Fulham's first win at Upton Park since 1980 by tucking away Saha's perceptive pass from just inside the box after a trademark late run from midfield having laid on Sylvain Legwinski's opener from a corner. He grabbed a winner at Elland Road with an improvised finish of real quality after Leeds had failed to clear a set-piece and played a prominent part in Fulham's run to the FA Cup semi-finals, opening the scoring as the Whites won at York in round four.

Malbranque's influence only grew the following season, with twelve goals underlining his importance as the side struggled to find the net on a consistent basis. He scored one and set up another as the Whites roared back from 2-0 down to stun early pacesetters Spurs in a breathtaking comeback at Loftus Road and scored Fulham's first UEFA Cup goal, a measured finish on the counter attack to clinch an impressive win over Hajduk Split in the intimidating atmosphere of Stadion Poljud before tilting the second leg back in Fulham's favour by keeping his cool from the penalty spot to equalise after the referee had ordered a retake. He scored four times in four games in February, finishing that month with a hat-trick that eliminated Charlton from the FA Cup.

Malbranque's form didn't dip after Tigana's departure as the fleet-footed French flourished from a wide position in Chris Coleman's 4-3-3 formation, part of a front three that devastated defences alongside Luis Boa Morte and the sublime Saha. He sparked a comeback against Manchester City, before starring in the unforgettable triumph at Old Trafford – scoring once and laying on the clinching third for Junichi Inamoto. There was an equaliser and assist for Brian McBride's winner on debut against Tottenham and he settled a pulsating FA Cup replay against Everton, before briefly sparking hopes of another win at Manchester United by successfully converting an early penalty.

Malbranque scored twice at St. James' Park in Fulham's astonishing smash and grab raid – most memorable for Mark Crossley's magnificent afternoon in goal – the following season and his brace brilliantly beat Blackburn in the penultimate fixture of the season. He scored twice to remind Stuart Pearce of his quality after Manchester City's summer-long pursuit of his signature had failed the following year and returned from a prolonged injury lay-off to pinch a precious three points against Newcastle after coming off the bench. Perhaps his most effective display that season was one where he didn't find the net but instead completely snuffed out Claude Maekele as Coleman's men beat Chelsea in March. One of his best goals was a sensational curler into the Hammersmith End top corner against Portsmouth, which was soon followed by a late strike that sunk Wigan and it was perhaps fitting that we remember his Fulham career with the final goal – a fabulous late winner at the City of Manchester Stadium that clinched the Cottagers' first away win in more than a year – rather than the manner of his departure after an acrimonious dispute with Coleman.

Damiano wasn't exaggerating when he compared the mercurial Malbranque to Zinedine Zidane – and it remains baffling to me that he was ignored by a succession of French national coaches. His eye for a pass, ceaseless running and unerring finishing ability made him an integral part of Fulham's first five seasons in the top flight. Malbranque was a majestic midfielder, who racked up more than fifty top flight assists altogether in his time in England conclusively answering those who derided a lack of end product. He was consistently class and made it all look effortless. Merci, Steed.




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/how-superb-steed-malbranque-stole-our-hearts/

WhiteJC

Fulham to push forward in pursuit of Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes this week

Fulham's pursuit of Swansea City starlet Matt Grimes should move forward this week, according to journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter (see tweet below).



Fulham are keen to seal a deal for the midfielder to move to Craven Cottage for the upcoming season.

Grimes, who is 26-years-old, has been a key player for Swansea over the past few years but they are poised to lose him in this transfer window.

He has helped the Swans reach the Championship Play-Offs in both of the past two campaigns.

Seven years in Wales

Swansea swooped to sign Grimes in January 2015 after he caught the eye playing in League Two at Exeter City.

He rose up through the academy with the Grecians and went on to make 62 appearances for their first-team before his move to the Liberty Stadium.

Grimes had loan spells away at Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town during his first few years in Wales before breaking into the Swans' first-team during the 2018/19 season.

He has made a total of 157 appearances for the club in all competitions now, chipping in with eight goals and 16 assists.

New era for Fulham

Fulham are preparing for life back in the Championship and their new boss, Marco Silva, has a point to prove in this country and will be eager to guide his new club to an immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

Alan Nixon says the Cottagers' bid to sign Grimes will move forward this week as they look to boost their options in the middle of the park.



https://the72.co.uk/243604/fulham-to-push-forward-in-their-pursuit-of-swansea-city-midfielder-matt-grimes-this-week/


WhiteJC

Jack and Loz Back at the Cottage - Blog 182
Date: 31st July 2021

Opposition: Charlton Athletic

Score: 1-0

Fulham goal scorer: Fabio Carvalho

Weather: a typical English summer's day (ie. it rained)

Atmosphere: probably the best atmosphere at a pre season friendly ever!

MOTM: a 3 week way tie between Tim Ream, Fabio and Tyrese Francois (more on all of them later)

Pub (pre-match): the Blue Boat

Pub (post-match): the Distillers

The last time we went to Craven Cottage was on 29th February 2020. Fulham beat Preston 2-0 and were poised and ready for the run in, but the news from abroad was ominous and football, like much of life, was about to be postponed.

What was odd about being back at the Cottage on Saturday was that so much has changed in the world - including so much at Fulham - and yet it felt like we'd never been away. The majestic new Riverside stand dominates the SW6 skyline but doesn't dwarf the Cottage, the team has a new manager and some new additions but it's still the team we passionately support. The Cottage is still the Cottage; Fulham is still Fulham. One is our second home, one is our family. After everything we have all been through, it was as affirmation, as well as a privilege, to be back where we belong.

Last February, the Riverside was a jagged mass of concrete and steel. Now it's a sharp and striking sculpture waiting for its final polish. When it's finished, forget about the footballers - no one will be able to take their eyes off the stand.

And last February, Fulham were managed by Scott Parker, a man who would would oversee ecstasy and cause heartbreak in the months to come. He let everyone down in the manner of his departure but we have all moved on - one side with indecent haste, one with customary dignity.

Which brings us to Marco Silva, looking to put a checkered episode in his career behind him and restore his reputation in English football. That suits us perfectly, as does his penchant for attacking football and his ability to attract and secure promising players. So far, Marco has come across as open, approachable and thoughtful. But the warm and gentle gaze and the polite, affable manner don't conceal his ambition or his drive. Paulo Gazzaniga. Harry Wilson. Probably Rodrigo Muniz. What Marco wants, Marco seems to get.

And Marco didn't arrive alone. His assistant needs no introduction and is the most exciting arrival at Fulham so far this year. Suffice to say, no name - not Mitro's, not even Tony Fisher's - was sung more at the Cottage on Saturday afternoon than that of Luis Boa Morte.

As for the football, this was a typical preseason friendly against a team in a lower league. Fulham looked good but, Frankly, not great. The players we know and love haven't changed much: Fabio was full of skill and energy and took his goal like a master, Kenny Tete showed his pace and finesse while playing within himself, Tosin looked like he's going to be head and shoulders above most Championship players in more ways than one. Anthony Knockaert still runs around a lot without producing anything worthwhile, Kebano was lively but not particularly effective, and Antonee Robinson didn't really look like he'd come from a better league.

Frank had moments of effortless domination and long periods of anonymity and, for his cameo, Seri looked neat but uninspired. What it says about Marco's intentions that they both played is anybody's guess. Surely at least Seri will be off to some less competitive league in warmer climes in which case we'd much rather have seen Onomah.

Of our old favourites, this leaves Joe Bryan who spent a lot longer warming up that he did on the pitch, although he finished his stint with a sharp reminder to Marco about his shooting ability; Tim Ream and Mitro. Ream continues to surprise and impress us with his ability, class and commitment. Last season we described him as being in the autumn of his career but an Indian summer has arrived and we can only welcome it. During Tom Cairney's endless convalescence, Tim has taken over as captain and we have no doubt he is as commanding in the dressing room as he is calm on the pitch. His lengthy applause to the Hammy End at the final whistle was much appreciated.

As for Mitro, he was not, despite the assertions of the crowd, on fire. Whilst he looks trimmer than usual, he didn't look fast or sharp. There was some huffing and puffing and almost a yellow card. However good the rest of the squad is, and however well Marco can manage them, Mitro is the key to the season. He must play, he must start, he must score. On Saturday he was just a little off the pace and more than just a little inaccurate in the box. But we know Mitro of old - he's the man for the big occasion, a man who knows his way round this league. And once he starts scoring he just can't stop.

Of new faces, Paulo Gazzaniga is clearly a very good goalkeeper who didn't have much to do but did all of it well and Harry Wilson already looks at home on the Cottage pitch and is going to be an important player this season. But the revelation was Tyrese Francois who has a wise footballing head on young, strong shoulders, and whose assist for Fabio's goal was the best pass of the match.

So all we really learnt on Saturday is that we have a good squad who are going to give Marco some tough decisions. The starting line-up was - give or take Harry and Joe - probably the best available but we have Bobby and Hector to come back from their Caribbean cruise, Cav AWOL and Kongolo, Reed and Cairney still injured. We know how good Onomah is in the Championship and Rodak equally so - he could be the big loser this season, but his loss is our gain with Paulo gloved, top-knotted and assured in goal.

This wasn't a match to raise the heart rate, but it was one to raise expectations. This is a very good team who pass the ball positively and at pace, have a clear plan of attack and know how to defend. On Saturday, they were in about third gear. We can't wait to watch them when they don't hold anything back, when it really matters, when they really catch fire.

Random musings:-

- the tribute to Tony Fisher was, in the Fulhamish spirit he so embodied, understated and stylish. We hope his family appreciated it as much as we did and that they heard his name echoing around the ground

- on a lighter note, we were pleased to see both goalkeepers had matching gloves and boots...

- .....and that Fabio's boots matched his training top

- not a great start to the season to delay kick off by an hour (but we chatted to our neighbours, drank coffee and soaked up the atmosphere so it wasn't all bad)

- due the flooded path outside the ground we had to do a kind of triathlon to get in

- what is going on with the women's toilets in the Hammy End? Hunt the toilet isn't an Olympic sport and it isn't much fun either! The Club better get it sorted by next week.

- did Mitro start in an unnumbered shirt or did the 9 fall off? If the former, was it because they have sold so many replica Mitro shirts that they've run out of 9s? (And 6s?????)

- we noted that Marco was in a tracksuit and our opinion is divided as to whether next week he'll be tackling the league in something rather smarter.

So fans are back at the Cottage and Fulham are back in the Championship. It was great to enjoy a stress free match for a change. From next week, the pressure starts again. A different pressure from last season when we were trying not to be relegated. This time we're going for gold - for the top spot. No more trips to Wembley, no settling for second.

We are Marco Silva's Fulham. And we have a league to win.




https://werdsmith.com/p/mwnGYVtRb2MkS

filham

Talk above about a season for us with exciting strikers but where are we right now, it seems to me we are on a knife edge and it could all go pear shaped.
1. Mitro, no sign of him regaining his old form , his performance against 1st division opposition at the Cottage on
   Saturday was below average.
2. Kamara, he was not given game time on Saturday and we have no reason to believe he is at the forefront of the
    manager's plans.
3. Muniz, the transfer negotiations have been drawn out and seem to be fragile, he could be snatched from under our
   noses. If we do sign him it could take a good time for him to adjust to english football.
4.Dembele, there has been talk about our interest in Dembele for a log time, nothing really positive has happened this
  summer. He may well decide to have another season with the successful Peterborough team.

Our big problem last season was scoring goals , an on form striker in the team is essential but it would seem that we will be starting the season on Sunday with the problem unsolved.

Mullers OG

Filham has to my mind accurately stated the major problem at present, namely the lack of back up to Mitrovic.

Until a new striker is acquired we are reliant on Mitrovic. Should he be out of form, unfit, injured or suspended then we have no proper cover. Last season Cavaleiro was pushed into a position alien to him and for which he isn't suited. Stansfield is very young and raw. Kamara has never looked good enough and is surprisingly still on the books, presumably because no club wants him.

A new quick striker cannot come quickly enough.


Andy S

Due to ffp we are not allowed to spend. What with that and the fall out from COVID we have to be very careful

Woolly Mammoth

Mitro looked like a big lump carrying too much timber. He looks as though he is treading treacle and his sharpness and timing and conditioning is a real cause for concern.
If he was a knew debutant or a youngster playing like that he and the manager and the club would be criticised for playing him.
This has not just occurred, this is ongoing for a while. We have to get an alternative striker or strikers in that is priority.
We struggled last year with Mitro and nothing seems to have changed.
Its not the man in the fight, it's the fight in the man.  🐘

Never forget your Roots.

Lyle from Hangeland

Quote from: whitejc on August 02, 2021, 08:31:08 AM
In loving memory of Danny Fullbrook

Today is Danny Fullbrook's birthday. We sadly lost one of the most talented members of football's journalistic community far too early to cancer some nine years ago, but the former Daily Star football correspondent's memory lives on in many ways. From the community projects funded by schemes sponsored by the Fulham Foundation and a set of schemes to support the sports writers of the future by national newspapers and local football clubs alike, to the fact that on a purely personal level, I can't help wondering what Danny would have made of any major sporting development when a big story breaks.

Danny was a major influence on my own early journalistic career – encouraging me to write regularly and quickly becoming a regular correspondent via email after meeting me on the walk away from Craven Cottage one afternoon. He became an enthusiastic supporter of this site – offering his advice and typically forthright opinions – as a lifelong Fulham fan. He was one of the old school of sports journalists, someone who recognised that he was doing the best job in the world, and had a responsibility to tell it how it was – both for the fans who would read his copy and to make sure he was reporting the right information, a quality which earned him the trust of everyone within the game.

Dave Kidd, one of Danny's colleagues and another Fulham supporter, once said he had a perception of Fulham fans as rather shy and reserved until he met Danny. He was lively, for sure, but he was also extremely generous with his time and cared passionately about the next generation. His column contained the 'Fearless' moniker that summed Fullbrook up, none more so than when he battled cancer with the sort of vigour which he chased down every story. Danny didn't mind telling people when they were wrong, as he memorably did Thierry Henry after a post-match press conference on September 11 when the Frenchman was moaning about the injustice of a disallowed goal. The simple rejoinder that most people would be preoccupied by more important matters at that point did the trick.

In the aftermath of Danny's sad passing, when the tributes flowed from right across football and the media, and an emotional funeral, I made a commitment to continue this site – which has covered events at Craven Cottage since 2003 – in his memory. It hasn't always been easy, but we're also determined to try and tackle Fulham issues fairly, forthrightly and accurately. Danny loved a good debate and that's what we'll have here. We also pledged to try and offer a home for the talented football writers of tomorrow. We're immensely proud of the progress made by contributors past and present in their journalism careers, especially the superb Lydia Campbell at BBC Sport, and have recently recruited a number of Fulham fans with ambitions to follow in their footsteps as new writers. If you'd like a crack at covering Fulham, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

That's the best way that we can pay tribute to Danny, whose generosity of spirit and time, took our idea to be a home for Craven Cottage comment to heights we couldn't have dreamed of when we got going in 2003. I still picture how he would have celebrated Joe Bryan's brilliant free kick that beat Brentford at Wembley, where the media centre carries a plaque denoting his contribution to sports journalism, or England's remarkable progress at this summer's European Championship. Loudly, for certain. He'll always be with us – and hopefully we can carry his legacy forward together.

Our thoughts as always are with Danny's colleagues as well as Jim, Sylvia, Jo and Edward today.




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/in-loving-memory-of-danny-fullbrook/

Lovely write up. I remember him going on the Sunday morning journalist show, which could be watched online in the States. Such a loss.


Lyle from Hangeland

Quote from: filham on August 02, 2021, 10:03:42 AM
Talk above about a season for us with exciting strikers but where are we right now, it seems to me we are on a knife edge and it could all go pear shaped.
1. Mitro, no sign of him regaining his old form , his performance against 1st division opposition at the Cottage on
   Saturday was below average.
2. Kamara, he was not given game time on Saturday and we have no reason to believe he is at the forefront of the
    manager's plans.
3. Muniz, the transfer negotiations have been drawn out and seem to be fragile, he could be snatched from under our
   noses. If we do sign him it could take a good time for him to adjust to english football.
4.Dembele, there has been talk about our interest in Dembele for a log time, nothing really positive has happened this
  summer. He may well decide to have another season with the successful Peterborough team.

Our big problem last season was scoring goals , an on form striker in the team is essential but it would seem that we will be starting the season on Sunday with the problem unsolved.

It's definitely not going to go "pear shaped". We are winning automatic promotion this season. Watch and see.

filham

Quote from: Lyle from Hangeland on August 02, 2021, 02:53:11 PM
Quote from: filham on August 02, 2021, 10:03:42 AM
Talk above about a season for us with exciting strikers but where are we right now, it seems to me we are on a knife edge and it could all go pear shaped.
1. Mitro, no sign of him regaining his old form , his performance against 1st division opposition at the Cottage on
   Saturday was below average.
2. Kamara, he was not given game time on Saturday and we have no reason to believe he is at the forefront of the
    manager's plans.
3. Muniz, the transfer negotiations have been drawn out and seem to be fragile, he could be snatched from under our
   noses. If we do sign him it could take a good time for him to adjust to english football.
4.Dembele, there has been talk about our interest in Dembele for a log time, nothing really positive has happened this
  summer. He may well decide to have another season with the successful Peterborough team.

Our big problem last season was scoring goals , an on form striker in the team is essential but it would seem that we will be starting the season on Sunday with the problem unsolved.

It's definitely not going to go "pear shaped". We are winning automatic promotion this season. Watch and see.
I so hope you are right and I am watching but haven't yet seen anything to convince me.