Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 07/09/21...

[WhiteJC]

Update provided on the situation of Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic amid recent concern

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will be fit to face the Republic of Ireland for Serbia tomorrow night after sustaining a cheekbone injury against Luxembourg on Friday afternoon, according to Meridian Sport.

The 26-year-old was withdrawn in the 84th minute of their World Cup qualifier for Luke Jovic after sustaining this injury, but had already helped the Serbians all but secure three points against Luxembourg after netting a first-half brace.

This was a major concern for the Cottagers, who had already seen their star man travel to Qatar earlier this month for a friendly despite being an unused substitute, before flying back to Europe for their 2022 qualification campaign.

But Mitrovic, who has already scored four times and picked up two assists in five Championship games this season, is also a vital player for his national side in their quest to get to the 2022 World Cup.

Currently, they are four points clear of third-place Luxembourg but level on points with Euro 2016 winners Portugal.

At this reasonably early stage of the qualification campaign though, they are unlikely to rest a key asset in the Fulham forward and as per Meridian Sport, he is in line to play in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland after initial fears he would be ruled out of this potentially crucial tie.

As a key player, it would be no surprise to see him start after being given just four days to recover from the injury he sustained at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

The Verdict:

This is the definition of a double-edged sword. The fact he's fit to play against Ireland will give Fulham fans a huge boost after seeing him heavily contribute to the cause at Craven Cottage so far this season.

But they would have ideally wanted Mitrovic to return to west London to recover instead of travelling across Europe to play in tomorrow's international fixture, although his flight from Dublin to London is likely to be a short one on his return.

This is the only real plus for a Fulham side who are also likely to see him go on international duty again next month, where he will travel to the Stade de Luxembourg before returning to his home nation to play against Azerbaijan.

However, the striker would be more than unhappy if he was denied the opportunity to represent his country – and Marco Silva's side will be hoping his goalscoring form for his country will only help the 26-year-old to keep building his goalscoring momentum in what could be a close title race with West Bromwich Albion.

New signing Rodrigo Muniz will also be keeping him on his toes at Craven Cottage, so it will be interesting to see whether he can retain his form throughout the 2021/22 campaign for club and country.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/update-provided-on-the-situation-of-fulhams-aleksandar-mitrovic-amid-recent-concern/

[WhiteJC]

Mark Crossley fires warning to Fulham over long-term future of key player following Leeds United and West Ham interest

Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley has insisted that Marco Silva is going to have to keep the club up at the top of the Championship table if they are to have a chance of keeping hold of Fabio Carvalho.

Carvalho has been one of the best performing players in the Championship so far this campaign with the attacker playing an instrumental role in Fulham's strong start to the campaign.

The 19-year-old has already managed to register three goals and one assist in his opening five Championship matches. While he also been averaging an impressive 2.4 shots per game and completing 1.4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes as well.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, the attacker's form saw him emerge on the radar of the likes of Leeds United, Norwich City, West Ham and Porto ahead of the end of the summer window. That suggests that there is going to be plenty of interest in him moving forwards.

Football League World have recently revealed that Fulham are confident that they can agree a new contract with Carvalho. That might go some way to securing his immediate to long-term future if it comes off.

Speaking to This Is Futbol, Crossley has suggested that Carvalho's form is going to have a host of Premier League clubs all over him at the moment. While he also insisted that Fulham have to stay at the top of the Championship to ensure they keep hold of him.

He said: "If Marco Silva's picking him, and he's playing regularly, such a young lad... I haven't seen too much of him but what I have seen, Fulham have to stay at the top of the league because Premier League clubs are going to be all over him at this moment in time."

The verdict

Fulham have not had a talented attacking player burst through into their side with such an endproduct since Ryan Sessegnon, and they found it a major challenge to fend of interest in him and eventually had to sell him to Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Carvalho will be wise to keep in mind that Sessegnon has not really been able to develop his game since his move to Tottenham and in the end he might have been better off remaining with Fulham.

Having said that, Carvalho is likely to be a player full of belief right now and he will be confident that if he were to leave Craven Cottage for a Premier League side then he would be able to make an impact wherever he ends up.

Crossley is right that Fulham's hopes of keeping the attacker in the long-term depends on whether or not they are able to make it back into the Premier League.

Carvalho himself is going to be crucial in that because he has already emerged as one of their most influential attacking players during their bright start to the campaign.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/mark-crossley-fires-warning-to-fulham-over-long-term-future-of-key-player-following-leeds-united-and-west-ham-interest/

[WhiteJC]

'Must do all they can' – Fulham face key call amid Leeds United and Barcelona player interest: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

19-year-old Fabio Carvalho was set to sign a new deal with Championship side Fulham according to The Athletic's Peter Ruzler in the middle of last month, fending off interest from the likes of FC Barcelona and Premier League side Leeds United for his signature.

Although he was born in Lisbon, the young midfielder spent much of his youth career in west London with Marco Silva's side, rising up through the ranks and recording an impressive 17 goal contributions in 13 Premier League 2 appearances last term.

This has persuaded fellow Portuguese native Silva to give the teenager an opportunity in the Championship this season, taking his opportunity with both hands and bagging himself three goals in five second-tier games, also grabbing one assist in the process.

Predominantly an advanced midfielder in the centre, Carvalho can also operate out wide and could prove to be a crucial, versatile player for the Cottagers to utilise throughout the season when injuries and suspensions start to come into play as the campaign goes on.

But the 19-year-old, who has less than a year left on his current deal, has been linked with an exit from Craven Cottage in recent months and interest from Barcelona and Leeds is just the tip of the iceberg.

Clubs from Germany, France and Portugal have also reportedly been monitoring his situation in the capital – but this growing confidence of a new deal could be a big boost for Fulham fans.

Ahead of this potential agreement, we asked three of our FLW writers how important it is for Fulham to retain Carvalho beyond next summer.

Jordan Rushworth

It has been a joy to watch the emergence of Fabio Carvalho in the opening few weeks of the Championship campaign. The attacker is showing no fear and is proving to be one of the most outstanding players in the English second tier at the age of just 19.

Therefore, it has been no surprise to anyone that teams like Barcelona and Leeds United have been starting to take note and registering an interest in the attacker.

Fulham simply must do all they can to try and tie him down to a new long-term deal because he could well be their major talisman for the next four or five years if he can continue to progress at his current rate.

We have already seen in the past that Fulham find it difficult to hold on to bright talents that emerge through their youth set-up with Ryan Sessegnon eventually moving on to Tottenham Hotspur.

As a result, it is vital that Fulham protect themselves from a financial perspective. That means they need to make sure that Carvalho is signed up to a long-term deal which would mean that they hold the cards in any future negotiations over him with another club.

There is no doubt that at his current rate of development Carvalho might outgrow Fulham even if they were promoted back to the Premier League.

However, the attacker must still prove himself fully first and show his best form consistently. He knows he will get game time with Fulham and therefore it is beneficial for him as well to sign a new deal.

George Dagless

It's very important.

Fulham obviously need to keep their best players around for as long as possible and Carvalho has quickly established himself as a key man for them this season despite his young age.

He's someone with huge potential there's obviously a chance he could get a move away from Fulham offered to him, so it makes sense for the Lilywhites to try and cover themselves as much as possible against the threat of losing him on the cheap.

There are two issues that a new deal will sort. Fulham will increase their chances of keeping him around for at least a little longer and, indeed, will manage to prevent themselves from losing him on the cheap which is currently a real prospect as things stand.

Billy Mulley

Fabio Carvalho has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in European football at present, sneaking into consecration about Europe's most exciting teenagers from England's second-tier.

At 19 years old, he plays with a sense of maturity well beyond his years, with his intelligent attacking runs, not always benefitting him, but always helping the team.

Carvalho's technical ability is up there with the best the Championship has ever seen, and in this exciting Fulham team, he is perhaps been the best performer thus far.

All this makes securing a deal for Carvalho very important. The fact that Barcelona are after his services just shows how brilliant he is, and what potential he has.

Fulham are a side who would probably still mount a serious promotion push without, but with him at the club, they can be confident about the future.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/must-do-all-they-can-fulham-face-key-call-amid-leeds-united-and-barcelona-player-interest-the-verdict/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Fixture Selected For International Broadcast

Blackpool's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Fulham this Saturday has been selected by Pitch International for overseas coverage.

Set to be shown live by multiple broadcasters across Europe, Asia, North America and throughout the world, the match will therefore be unavailable to stream live internationally on Tangerine TV in countries covered by the EFL's global television rights deal. 

Audio commentary will remain available to those with match-related subscriptions however, while the full 90-minute replay of the game on Tangerine TV can be accessed with a subscription from 12pm on Sunday (12 September).

You can purchase a subscription here.

In countries where no broadcasting agreement is in place, the match will continue to be available to watch.

Classed as dark market territories, these countries can change at any time but are currently as follows:

Afghanistan, Albania, American Samoa, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Cyprus, East Timor, Faroe Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gibraltar, Guam, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Islands, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Romania, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Taiwan, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Ukraine, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu



https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/fulham-fixture-selected-for-international-broadcast

[WhiteJC]

NEWS: Coventry City announce Jimmy Hill Day for fixture versus Fulham



Coventry City are delighted to announce that the Sky Blues' game against Fulham will be this year's Jimmy Hill Day.

Normally the match takes place on the home game closest to the date that the legendary Sky Blues manager and chairman passed away on 19th December 2015, however it has this year been moved to City's fixture against Fulham on Saturday 2nd October, with kick-off at 12:30pm on Sky Sports at the Coventry Building Society Arena as the two Clubs most closely associated with Hill meet.

£1 from every ticket sold for the game will be donated by Coventry City to the Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund, a fundraising initiative in order to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for those who need it most. To buy tickets now, visit eticketing.co.uk/CCFC

There will also be a bucket collection in aid of the Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund.

The legacy fund, which is administered by Sky Blues in the Community, helps support projects for children, young people and adults with disabilities, provide opportunities for young people, support the Sky Blues Family Zone and provide vital funds through grants to various groups and organisations.

Members of Jimmy Hill's family will also be attending the game as guests of Coventry City.

There will also be special content in the matchday programme and on the scoreboard.

Jimmy played 297 games for Fulham from 1952 until June 1961 when he retired from playing – November 1961 would see him become Coventry City manager. He would stay at Highfield Road for 6 years, leading the Sky Blue Revolution as the Club moved from the Third Division up to the top flight of English football.



After moving into TV, he returned to Highfield Road in 1975 as Managing Director and then Chairman, leaving in 1983. After a brief spell as director with Charlton, Hill became Fulham chairman in 1987 and remained at Craven Cottage in the role until 1997.

In 2012, the statue of Jimmy Hill was unveiled at the Coventry Building Society Arena – the last public appearance of 'JH' before he sadly passed away.

Dave Boddy, Chief Executive at Coventry City, said:
"We are delighted to announce details of this year's Jimmy Hill Day.

"With the two sides most closely associated with Jimmy facing each other in the league for the first time since the 1967/68 season, it seemed appropriate to hold the Day at this game.

"Through us donating a pound from each ticket sold to the Legacy and other fundraising too, we hope to raise vital funds to continue the work of the Legacy Fund in Jimmy's name and to celebrate his huge impact too."

Joe Elliott MBE, of the Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund committee, said:
"I am delighted that the Fulham game will be the Jimmy Hill Day and that the Football Club is making this superb gesture in donating £1 from every ticket sold for the game.

"It underlines the Club's thoughts for the past and its heritage, and it enables the Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund to do good things locally in the name of 'JH'.

"We will be doing our best to get other funding elsewhere from donations and organisations too so that we can help even more sports clubs, organisations and people in Coventry and Warwickshire.

"I hope that all supporters get behind the Legacy Fund and the Jimmy Hill Day, as we celebrate the impact Jimmy had on us all at a game between two clubs that were so close to his heart."



https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2021/september/news-coventry-city-announce-jimmy-hill-day-versus-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Southend United beaten by Fulham in Premier League Cup

SOUTHEND United kicked off the group stages of the Premier League Cup with a 3-1 defeat against Fulham at Roots Hall tonight.

Blues – who included Will Atkinson in their starting line-up – took the lead in the first half with O'Shane Stewart netting an impressive volley.

Fulham hit back after the break to secure victory.

Blues had early shouts for a penalty away when Louis Walsh went down inside the area before Matt Rush was denied in front of goal after opting to delay shooting.

Moments later, a looping header from Tommy Davis was tipped wide of the left post by Fulham goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond.

In reply, the visitors' Sonny Hilton dragged a low effort wide of the left post before Blues hit back to open the scoring in the 22nd minute, with Stewart netting a spectacular effort.

The midfielder latched onto a half cleared Lewis Gard free-kick and sent a fantastic first time volley into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

However, Fulham equalised at the start of the second half with Hilton sending a low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net after hesitant defending from the Shrimpers.

Fulham soon came close to taking the lead with Blues goalkeeper Colin Andeng-Ndi doing well to deny both Kieron Bowie and Hilton with a fine double save.

But the visitors were not to be denied for long as they took the lead in the 74th minute, with O'Neill bursting through and firing home a well-taken effort.

Moments later, Andeng-Ndi did well to keep out an effort from Hilton before Fulham made it 3-1 four minutes from time with substitute Charlie Robinson heading home from close range.

Southend United: Andeng-Ndi, Howard, Sayers, Stewart, Davis, Wallace, Benton, Gard (Brown), Rush, Atkinson (Unwin), Walsh Subs: Purcell, Chandler & Anyadike



https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19562745.southend-united-beaten-fulham-premier-league-cup/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U23s fight back to beat Southend

Fulham's under 23s roared back from a goal down to beat Southend United 3-1 as they opened their Premier League Cup campaign in some style at Roots Hall tonight.

The home side made a bright start, dominating possession and having the better of the early chances before a superb long-range strike from O'Shane Stewart. Fulham only half cleared a corner and the Shrimpers' midfielder found the bottom corner with a majestic first-time volley from twenty yards out. It was exactly what Phil Brown's men deserved after they had been denied strong appeals for an early penalty when Louis Walsh went down in the box and Tommy Davis was denied a headed opener by a brilliant Taye Ashby-Hammond save.

The home side could have gone further in front before half time but Jimmy Wallace's drive was blocked after a Southend corner caused consternation in the Fulham box. The visitors had struggled to play their usual fluent football and Steve Wigley introduced Delano McCoy for Olly Sanderson at half-time to stiffen up the Fulham midfield.

The change had an immediate effect, as after Jon Benten had drilled a speculative shot wide from 25 yards, Fulham equalised five minutes after the interval. In-form creative midfielder Sonny Hilton levelled matters with a low drive that was deflected past goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi on its way into bottom corner. Hilton was only denied a second after a lightning break from a home corner by a brave block from Walsh.

Southend keeper Andeng-Ndi then made a brilliant double save to deny Ollie O'Neill and Luke Harris from the follow-up. The game was now a much more open affair and Wallace sent a free header wide from a dangerous Gard corner. Fulham went up the other end and took the lead when Conor McAvoy found Hilton with a brilliant ball from the back. The little playmaker split the Southend defence with a through ball that released O'Neill and the Irish midfielder slid a low finish under the advancing Andeng-Ndi from twelve yards.

Hilton might have made the game safe three minutes later after bursting through on goal but was thwarted by a fine reaction save from Andeng-Ndi. Substitute Charlie Robinson wrapped up the victory with an emphatic header from O'Neill's cross with five minutes remaining and Hilton almost volleyed in a fourth from close range in added time.

Fulham's second Group H game sees them take on Stoke City at Motspur Park on Friday 8th October.

SOUTHEND UNITED UNDER 23s (4-5-1): Andeng-Ndi; Howard, Sayers, Davis, Wallace; Stewart, Gard (Brown 70), Benton, Atkinson (Unwin 80), Walsh; Rush. Subs (not used): Purcell, Chandler, Anyadike.

BOOKED: Howard.

GOAL: Stewart (23).

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): T. Ashby-Hammond; Tanton (C. Robinson 82), Araujo, McAvoy, Odutayo; Harris, O'Neill; Hilton, Bowie, Lanquedoc; Sanderson (McCoy-Splatt 45). Subs (not used): Las, Canton, Wildbore.

BOOKED: Hilton.

GOALS: Hilton (50), O'Neill (73), C. Robinson (85).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/fulham-u23s-fight-back-to-beat-southend/

[WhiteJC]

Serbia to make late decision on Aleksandar Mitrovic before Ireland clash

The Fulham striker has scored seven goals in four games in the campaign to date.

HEAD COACH DRAGAN Stojkovic will make a late decision on star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic ahead of Serbia's World Cup qualifier against Ireland.

The 26-year-old Fulham frontman suffered a facial injury during Saturday's 4-1 Group A victory over Luxembourg in which he scored twice to take his tally for the campaign to date to seven goals in just four matches.

Mitrovic, who also scored a double against Ireland in Belgrade in March, would represent a major threat to Stephen Kenny's side if fit, and Stojkovic could not be more pleased to have him at his disposal.

Asked why the former Newcastle marksman was so effective, he said with a smile: "Because I am good. Finally he found a great coach."

Stojkovic added: "He has quality as a striker and there's no doubt that he has quality for the Premier League.

"He is a very big professional and is very concentrated on his role, he works for the team, really, really hard. His quality and his movement in the box is amazing."

Mitrovic's goals at the weekend took him to 43 for his country and extended his own national record, and his potency at international level is in contrast with the difficulties he has had in the Premier League with both the Magpies and his current employers.

Asked why that might be, Stojkovic said: "First of all, we try to play very attractive and very attacking football and every striker in the world likes that, not only Mitrovic. That's why maybe he is really, really motivated to do his best.

"Finally, he is a striker who is really keen in the area. I don't know at Fulham how it works, but any time he comes to the national team and he plays the style of football which we want to deliver to the public, I think he likes it, it feels very comfortable.

"That's my opinion."

Serbia currently lead the group from Portugal on goal difference and with only one automatic qualification place up for grabs, headed for Ireland determined to leave with another three points to maintain their lofty position.

Stojkovic said: "Yes, we've come here to try to win. We know it will be a very difficult game, but we believe in our football and believe we can get another three points.

"If you want a team to go far, of course you must win. It's a difficult one, but we will try to do our best."



https://www.the42.ie/aleksandar-mitrovic-fitness-ireland-serbia-5542339-Sep2021/

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Special Episode: Transfer Window Review With The Original Hosts

Take a listen to podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, Kyle Bonn and Russ Goldman reunite to talk about the Transfer Window for Fulham.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/9/6/22659423/cottage-talk-special-episode-transfer-window-review-with-the-original-hosts

[filham]

Jimmy Hill, player, pundit, manager and chairman. He did it all and has to be up there with Fulham greats like Haynes , MAF. and Roy.
But for all of Jimmy's efforts when we were so poor we probably would not exist now.