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

[WhiteJC]

Joe Gelhardt potentially injured for Leeds v Fulham

Leeds United wonderkid Joe Gelhardt once again made all of the headlines for the under-23s on Sunday.

The young Whites dismantled Liverpool's academy in Kirkby 4-0, with the former Wigan talent scoring two wondergoals.

The first was a strike from the halfway line, with his second smashed into the top corner from over 30 yards out.

This wonderful performance has led to many calls for Gelhardt to finally earn his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Fulham tomorrow.

Worryingly, that may not be able to happen.

Posting on Instagram after the game yesterday, Gelhardt sarcastically thanked Cody Drameh for knocking his back during celebrations.

"Thanks, lad backs killing," he wrote.

Sarcastic.

Fingers crossed that this is all just one big joke and Gelhardt will be ready for Craven Cottage tomorrow.

The young forward has been sensational this season already, and no one deserves it more than him tomorrow evening.

Thankfully, this was in the first half and Gelhardt went on to smash home another wonder strike in the second period.

Based on that, he recovered quickly and if the knock to his back didn't flare up overnight into this morning, we should be seeing his name on that team sheet.

With numerous injuries in the squad, Marcelo Bielsa could be relying heavily on his under-23s to make the difference tomorrow.

Gelhardt will hopefully be one of them alongside many of his younger teammates as they look to make a huge impact on the first team.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/joe-gelhardt-potentially-injured-for-leeds-united-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Celtic looked at move for Fulham's Anthony Knockaert this summer

Celtic were one of several clubs that took a look at Fulham winger Anthony Knockaert this summer, according to Football League World.

The report claims that the Hoops kept tabs on his situation along with West Brom and QPR respectively.

Football League World reports that the player's wages became an issue in any deal. It's unclear as to how far Celtic wanted to progress with a move for the Frenchman.

However, Knockaert could become available once again in the January transfer window. The report states that there's an acceptance that he needs to find a new club. Both the player and the club are working on a solution.

Celtic managed to recruit both Jota and Liel Abada as their wide options this season. This leaves the club with two options down either flank for cover. With Mikey Johnston back and James Forrest closing in on a return, we're well stocked for now.

Knockaert, meanwhile, has only managed one appearance all season for Fulham. But with 224 Championship appearances and 72 EPL outings to his name [Transfermarkt], he definitely carries plenty of experience with him.

Celtic unlikely to move for Anthony Knockaert given current options

You won't find many Celtic supporters that don't think we need extra options in January. The rebuild is far from complete and we still need to upgrade in several positions. But right-wing, where Knockaert regularly plays, isn't one of them.

The last thing we need is to halt the development of Abada. The 19-year-old Israeli is still trying to find consistency. It makes extremely little sense to take him out and throw in Knockaert, for example. Not when there isn't much between the pair when it comes to talent.

This January, the priority has to be in central midfield and perhaps even the centre-forward position. Celtic are short in numbers in both areas. Unless we encounter a major injury at right-wing, it's difficult to see us taking another look at Fulham's Frenchman.

Not to mention that question marks will arise over how we get a deal done in the first place. If wages proved to be a stumbling block in the summer, wouldn't they be so once again in just a few months? Knockaert will hardly want a lot less just because we're several months down the line.

He's undoubtedly a talent. His career in England has shown that. And if we were in a different situation, it would be worth taking another look.

But even if he is available in January, will Celtic be itching to pick him up? It feels unlikely at best.



https://www.67hailhail.com/transfers/report-celtic-looked-at-move-for-fulhams-anthony-knockaert-this-summer/

[WhiteJC]

Leeds United handed timely boost as Fulham without key attackers for Carabao Cup clash

The Cottagers have several high-profile names on the treatment table


Fabio Carvalho will miss Tuesday's match against Leeds United.

Leeds United return to Carabao Cup action on Tuesday night hoping to continue their winning run in the competition.

The Whites haven't managed a Premier League win as yet but did defeat Crewe Alexandra in the second round at Elland Road.

Championship promotion chasers are next up the in shape of Fulham, who have made a strong start to the season under Marco Silva despite their relegation last term.

Fulham did suffer their first home defeat of the campaign against Reading on Saturday and have several injury concerns heading into Tuesday's match.

That's an issue Leeds know only too well and with that in mind, here's a look at Fulham's injury list.

Rodrigo Muniz

Fulham's new signing came off the bench to reduce the arrears against the Royals on Saturday but that came at a price.

Muniz picked up a knock during his cameo outing and could miss the match against Leeds, as a result.

"He had a strong knock in the last 10 minutes, he couldn't run, but we had to keep him on the pitch because we didn't have any more changes," Silva admitted after the match.

Tom Cairney

Fulham's talismanic captain has been sidelined for 10 months after playing a bit-part role in their Premier League campaign.

Cairney is still fighting to return to full fitness after a knee injury, which Silva has admitted is taking longer than expected.

"It's longer than what Tom, myself and my medical staff thought. No one expected this long period," he said last week.

"How much longer will he be? I don't know. But the aim for us now is to have Tom 100 per cent fit, and enjoying his football."

Fabio Carvalho

The Fulham youngster was linked with a move to Leeds in the summer window after an impressing start with the Cottagers.

The 18-year-old has missed Fulham's last three league games, two of which have ended in defeat.

"Fabio because of his injury in the Hull City game, he did a big effort to play against Stoke but he felt it again the week after," Silva said.

"We have to let him recover as much as possible, as fast as we can."

Kenny Tete

The Fulham right-back is out with a hamstring injury that could leave him on the sidelines for months rather than weeks.

Tete's injury means 33-year-old defender Denis Odoi is most likely to play on the right side of defence, which could be a match made in heaven from a Leeds perspective.

"The injury to Kenny Tete changes our plans. We didn't expect to have to get someone in, but we have to try and get someone in for that position," Silva said at the end of August.

"Kenny is going to be out longer than we thought. It's more serious than we first thought."



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-fulham-key-attacker-21616525

[WhiteJC]

   
The former Wales, Sunderland and Fulham manager spotted at Portsmouth's Cambridge United loss

Former Wales, Sunderland and Fulham manager Chris Coleman, who has been out of a managerial post since 2019, was reportedly in attendance for Portsmouth's Fratton Park loss to Cambridge United

Former Wales, Sunderland and Fulham manager Chris Coleman was reportedly at Fratton Park for Portsmouth's defeat to Cambridge United.

The 51-year-old, whose last management role was in charge of Hebei China Fortune, was seen in the stands sat next to Blues chief executive Andrew Cullen.

It has been suggested by Dean Adams on Twitter that Coleman was among those watching on as the Blues fell to a 2-1 loss to Mark Bonner's side, their third straight defeat in League One.

A potential reason could be that he wanted to see his godson and Pompey winger Ronan Curtis in action.

The 25-year-old marked his 150th appearance for the club with a second half goal for the Blues, his first strike of the campaign and his 41st for the club in all competitions.

An interested spectator at Fratton Park on Saturday was ex-Wales boss Chris Coleman, who sat with our new CEO #pompey

— Dean Adams (@deanoadams) September 19, 2021

Since taking up his first management post in 2007, Coleman has 426 games under his belt across club and national sides.

Among his most successful managerial roles came between January 2012 and November 2017, where Coleman managed Wales. As part of that stint, he took Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

Coleman's last spell in England was with Sunderland, where he departed after just over five months having been relegated out of the Championship with the Black Cats.



https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/wales-sunderland-fulham-manager-portsmouth-5940642

[WhiteJC]

Why Denis Odoi is the ultimate Fulham cult hero
Amid yet another resurgence in a white shirt, Charles tells us why Odoi has to go down as one of our all-time greats.

Saturday's result aside, it really feels like the dawning of a new era at Fulham. There's a new manager, a youthful squad and a sense of optimism and excitement that we haven't had for years.

However, there are still a few of our old favourites playing their part in Silva's side, and it's time to pay tribute to one of the best: Denis Odoi.

Bright start
From day one you could tell Odoi was going to be a fan favourite.

He was arguably our Man of the Match against Newcastle on his debut, he produced a masterful performance at right-back against the best team in the division, and that touch with his back to turn Paul Dummett inside out remains up there with the greatest pieces of skill we've ever seen at the Cottage.

Fans immediately took to him, and the love has only grown since.

That season was so memorable. Slavisa Jokanovic took us from being relegation battlers to promotion contenders and Odoi had a huge part to play in what was a brilliant debut campaign.

Reinventing himself
Has any Fulham player in recent memory been as unshakeable as Dennis Odoi?

Like a dog with a bone, the defender just won't give up his place in the squad, no matter how much of an uphill task he seemingly has.

Ryan Fredericks, Tomas Kalas, Cyrus Christie, Steven Sessegnon and Alfie Mawson are just a few names who've tried to take Odoi's spot in the team, but every year he somehow manages to work his way back into the XI.

Odoi's ability to re-invent himself is one of his best attributes. From a marauding right-back to a ball-playing centre-half, The 33-year-old does whatever is asked of him and he does it to an good standard.

No matter how frustrated we, and his managers, have been with him at times, he always seems to work his way back into our hearts and his gaffer's plans.

That header
We can't speak about Odoi's Fulham legacy without mentioning that goal against Derby County.

For a man who stands at just 5 ft 10, Odoi is unbelievable in the air, and that was never more apparent than in our play-off semi-final back in 2018.

We've all seen the clip hundreds of times, with and without the Titanic music played over it, and it still gives us goosebumps more than three years later.

A tale of two finals
If anything sums up why Odoi is such a hero at Fulham it's our two play-off final trips to Wembley in recent years.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of how much our fanbase loves Odoi is the fact that he was sent off in a play-off final and nobody seems to hold that against him.

All we remember from Denis on that day is 70 minutes of being a brick wall and then dancing on the crossbar amid the celebrations.

Two years on Odoi was once again climbing the frame of the goal, and he'd done so after one of the most mature performances of his Fulham career. He'd pocketed Said Benrahma and played a huge part in getting us over the line against Brentford.

One of a kind
Odoi has given so much to Fulham since joining in 2016, and the reality is that we may never see a player like him again.

The thing that makes the Belgian so charming is his uniqueness.

He's an absolute character off the pitch, and an total maverick on it.

On paper, Odoi is a footballer that shouldn't work, He's a long-range shooting centre-back, a 5 ft 10 aerial monster who uses his back to take on full-backs, and on his day, he is impossible to get past.

He has such a unique blend of strengths, and many of them don't suit playing in defence, but somehow, it all comes together to form a beautifully endearing footballer who was always destined to be a cult hero.

Odoi may not be the best player we ever see at Craven Cottage, but he will certainly go down as one of the most memorable.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-09-20-why-denis-odoi-is-the-ultimate-fulham-cult-hero/

[WhiteJC]

18-year-old starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Leeds tomorrow

Fulham welcome Leeds United to west London on Tuesday evening as they look to bounce back from Saturday's defeat to Reading and earn a place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

After looking a cut above in the opening few weeks of the Championship season, the Cottagers have come unstuck a little since the international break – losing two of their last three games.

The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa's Whites looks likely to provide Fulham with a tough test but victory could give them a huge boost in confidence and help them put an end to their recent wobble.

With that in mind, can expect to see Marco Silva make a few changes to his starting XI for tomorrow's game while ensuring that it still contains enough quality to get past Leeds.

Here is our predicted line up for Tuesday night's clash...

Summer signing Paolo Gazzaniga has been Silva's first choice goalkeeper this season but Marek Rodak got the nod in the EFL Cup tie against Birmingham City a few weeks ago and looks likely to feature once again.

The Fulham boss has some quality options at centre-back, so you'd imagine it is an area where making changes won't reduce the strength of his team too much.

Michael Hector and Alfie Mawson have mostly been restricted to the bench this term but could both start tomorrow evening, with Joe Bryan on the left and Dennis Odoi at right-back.

Shifting to a 4-3-3 helped Fulham take all three points against Birmingham in midweek and it would be no surprise to see them do the same against Leeds to shore things up centrally.

Harrison Reed is a doubt, so a midfield trio of Josh Onomah, Tyrese Francois, and Domingos Quina could make sense if Silva is keen to change things up.

This game may well have been earmarked as a chance for Rodrigo Muniz to make his first start but the summer signing picked up a knock on the weekend and you'd imagine Silva won't want to risk him, meaning 18-year-old Jay Stansfield may be called upon if Aleksander Mitrovic is rested.

The teenager scored in the last round of the EFL Cup and could be joined by the likes of Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Neeskens Kebano with Fabio Carvalho still missing due to injury.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/18-year-old-starts-the-predicted-fulham-xi-to-face-leeds-tomorrow/

[WhiteJC]

2 tweaks Marco Silva could make to the Fulham XI to face Leeds United tomorrow

Fulham will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat at the hands of Reading when they host Leeds United at Craven Cottage in the third round of the League Cup tomorrow.

Marco Silva's side set up a clash with the Whites by securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Birmingham City last month.

Whilst the Cottagers will enter this clash as underdogs, there is no reason why they cannot cause an upset by beating their Premier League opponents if they perform at their very best.

When you consider that Fulham's priority this season is to secure an immediate return to the top-flight, it wouldn't be at all surprising if Silva opts to make some alterations to his team on Tuesday.

Here, we take a look at TWO tweaks that the 44-year-old could make to his starting eleven for this fixture.

Josh Onomah is brought back into the club's starting eleven
After featuring in Fulham's opening six league games of the season, Josh Onomah missed the club's recent clash with Birmingham City due to a knock.

Having made his return to action as a substitute during the Cottagers' defeat to Reading, the midfielder could be in line to start against Leeds.

Onomah may be brought in as a replacement for Jean Michel Seri if Silva decides to rest the 30-year-old ahead of the club's upcoming clash with Bristol City.

An impressive performance against Leeds may allow Onomah to push on in the coming months as Fulham look to launch a bid for a top-two finish in the Championship.

Michael Hector is given the chance to impress
Yet to feature for Fulham in the Championship this season, Michael Hector may be given the chance to impress by Silva in the club's clash with Leeds.

The defender delivered an assured performance during the Cottagers' 2-0 victory over Birmingham in the second round of the League Cup as he recorded a respectable WhoScored match rating of 6.88 in this fixture.

If he helps his side keep another clean-sheet against Leeds tomorrow, Hector may be able to win over Silva's trust.

By providing the likes of Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo with some added competition at centre-back, Hector may force this particular duo to step up their performance levels which could have a positive impact on the club's fortunes in the second-tier.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-tweaks-marco-silva-could-make-to-the-fulham-xi-to-face-leeds-united-tomorrow/

[WhiteJC]

Stansfield eager to seize first team chance

Jay Stansfield to determined to make the most of another opportunity to impress when Fulham take on Leeds in the League Cup tomorrow night.

The teenage striker scored a stunning goal on his first senior start for the Whites in the second round against Birmingham City and was namechecked by head coach Marco Silva in the aftermath of the defeat by Reading as a 'fantastic' talent. With Rodrigo Muniz picking up an injury at the weekend, Stansfield is in line to feature up front against Premier League opposition at Craven Cottage.

He told FFCTV:

"I'm buzzing obviously. It's a chance that I can go out and prove what I can do again. These chances don't come along very often; so when they come, I have to take the chance and hopefully we can get a result and go into the next round and carry on.

Stansfield says the superb strike at St. Andrew's gives him plenty of confidence as he approaches another chance to shine in the senior set up.

I obviously won't be greedy and if there's someone else in a better position, I'll obviously use that, but if there's a chance for me to shoot and get another goal, I'm going to take that chance."

The former Exeter City forward believes the future is bright for Fulham's young talents, with a number pushing for regular gametime in Silva's squad.

"It's good. There's obviously a couple of us that are breaking into the first team, coming up from the academy and training with them all day, every day. The pathway is looking bright at the moment with the players that are around the academy and coming up to the first team. I think we just need to keep working hard. It's been shown that the chances will come, so when the lads get the chance, you just have to take it."

Stansfield certainly isn't underestimating the gravity of the challenge that Fulham will face against Marcelo Bielsa's side but believes the Whites could spring a surprise.

"It's going to be a tough game. We're all excited and ready for the fight. We've had plenty of time, we're properly prepared and we're ready."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/stansfield-eager-to-seize-first-team-chance/

[WhiteJC]

Carabao Cup Tickets: Leeds

Fulham return to action on Tuesday evening for Carabao Cup action and there's still time for you to secure your seat!

Be there to see the action unfold at Craven Cottage, as Marco Silva's side go head to head with Leeds United for a place in Round Four of the competition.

Tickets for the match on Tuesday 21st September, kick-off 7:45pm remain on sale to Season Ticket Holders, Members and supporters with a previous Booking History.

Prices for our Round Three tie are £20 for adults, £15 for 65 & over, £15 for 18-21 and £10 for 17 & Under. All prices increase by £5 on matchday.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE

Please note, everyone attending this fixture will either have a paper ticket or print at home ticket - Season Ticket Cards and Membership cards will not be valid for entry. If using a print at home ticket, please ensure this has been printed before arriving to Craven Cottage. Printing facilities are not available at the ground.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/Carabao-Cup-Tickets-Leeds/

[WhiteJC]

Should Marco Silva drop Paulo Gazzaniga?
Cam looks at whether the clamour for Rodak to start against Reading has merit.

This, for so many supporters, is a burning issue, so let's cut straight to the chase: should Paulo Gazzaniga be dropped? On the surface, the Argentine's eight-game stretch between the sticks in the Championship hasn't been calamitous, although observationally, something's amiss, and as we've a tried and trusted 'second-choice' 'keeper in Marek Rodak, would it be proactive for Marco Silva to switch things up in the shot-stopping department?

Gazzaniga arrived on a free transfer in the summer transfer window and almost instantly, the former Tottenham Hotspur man was viewed to be our undisputed number one. A towering figure with Champions League experience, Paulo was certainly an intriguing acquisition, he'd understudied Hugo Lloris at Spurs and upon his sporadic outings for the North Londoners, he'd garnered a dependable reputation, albeit a surplus one, and we jumped at the chance to lure him to SW6.


He joined Fulham, presumably, to demand a starting spot, to endear himself to our expectant fan base, to safeguard us towards a siege for the title, but as it stands, midway through September, the jury's still out and there's plausible reason to argue against his starting status, as some would openly testify.

With two clean sheets and seven goals shipped, Gazzaniga has, indeed, manned the target competently, although if you throw a little perspective on his record, it's middle-of-the-road fodder in comparison to the nine 'keepers that are ahead of him in the clean sheet running. Birmingham City's Matija Sarkic is top of the tree with four shut-outs, only two more than Paulo, of course, however for a team that's tipped as marginal favourites to win the entire competition, our defence has to become watertight and that ultimately begins with the man with the gloves. Gazzaniga's gloves, though, haven't necessarily been the securest of tools, and neither have his adidas Predators, if we're being flagrantly honest.

At set-pieces, the 29-year-old isn't overly convincing as he attempts to rid his penalty area of danger. He claws at crosses, he occasionally misjudges the flight of the ball and toe-to-toe, particularly at corners despite his stature, he's often overpowered. Something just isn't sitting right.

We've seen him hurl himself from one upright to the next in order to deflect goal-bound efforts to safety, with a dead ball, he's able to pick passes and also find teammates past the halfway line with relative precision, he is a fairly reliable option, there's no denying that, but his pitfalls are prominent and unsightly to say the very, very least.

Technical glitches?
Goalkeepers nowadays are expected to operate as an auxiliary, deep-lying playmaker and rotating possession swiftly and effectively is paramount. As the Whites build patterns to relinquish pressure from the opposition, Paulo's trusted to dispense the ball pragmatically but first, he has to tame the bounce and quite regularly, he makes an unsavoury meal of simple scenarios. It's fundamental, take a touch and utilise the easiest escape route although periodically, he's prone to hashing elementary passes.

Less-than-fancy footwork should be the least of a 'keeper's worries, and it's a small blemish, although larger scars have been inflicted and Blackpool away is a prime example. The Tangerines could've pounced multiple times as a direct result of Gazzaniga's dodgy distribution but being beaten at the near post by a strike that was telegraphed, before it had even left Josh Bowler's boot, was a detrimental gouge in his armour. His capabilities had been questioned prior to our trip to Bloomfield Road and his outing on the west coast only amplified those faint doubts further.

Reading at home, Ovie Ejaria registered a sumptuous brace, worthy of winning any game, no matter the magnitude however, for the sake of this article, could Gazzaniga could've done better? Without clutching at straws here, Ejaria's first strike was sensational, his second could've been closed down a lot sooner. Maybe Paulo wasn't expecting the trap to be sprung so rapidly but he was dozing, flat-footed, and following Fulham's recent shortcomings, the South American's yet to have won me over, not when we've a terrific Slovakian waiting patiently in the dugout.

Return of the Rod?
We've all seen more than enough to have made our minds up, he's showcased his best qualities and his not-so admirable deficiencies, and perhaps it's unfair to drag his reputation through the mud after only a matter of weeks, but we've also witnessed changes happen in other departments for experimental purposes, so why can't we reintroduce Rodak?

It's not as if we're consistent at this juncture of the campaign, we're going through the motions of a revamp under Silva and remedying our flip-flopping form could rest on one final tweak. We know Paulo can pull ridiculous saves out of nowhere, we remember Marek's 2019/20 heroics and we've caught glimpses of his expertise in the Carabao Cup, so what's the harm in giving a recently capped Slovakia international the nod, in place of a man who could actually benefit from concrete competition for supremacy?

We don't name the squads, but we can voice our opinions and I'm seriously tempted by the prospect of restoring a forgotten custodian to his former mantle, and I see no lasting damage in hooking Gazza to accommodate that appealing possibility, to mix things up, for Marco to dip his toe in waters we've complete confidence in. So, what say you, readers? Do we stick? Or do we twist?



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-09-20-should-marco-silva-drop-paulo-gazzaniga/

[WhiteJC]

Under-23 report | Wolves 2-1 Fulham
Wolves 2 (Hesketh 7, Campbell 81) Fulham 1 (Hilton 89 (pen))

Wolves under-23s continued their impressive start to the 2021/22 season when they made it four wins from four at Aggborough by picking up three points against Premier League 2 Division 2 leaders Fulham.

It was the visitors who almost opened the scoring with the first attack of the game as Terry Ablade was played in behind Jack Scott and Pascal Estrada on the Wolves left, and having taken a touch, he fired high into the net past Louie Moulden. But fortunately for the side in gold and black, the assistant referee's flag went up for offside against the Fulham number nine.

But Wolves took the lead within the opening 10 minutes as Chem Campbell used his skill and pace to race down the left, taking the ball past several Fulham men. Having reached the penalty area, the winger cut inside and fired at George Wickins' goal, but the keeper could only parry the ball to the feet of Hesketh who tapped into the empty net from close range.

James Collins' side were given another let off in the first-half, when Ablade once again picked up the ball ahead of the Wolves defence, and having taken the ball around Moulden and with the goal gaping, the striker could only slot his effort wide of the post as Rafa Nya managed to get back on the goalline.

Fulham continued to press after the break, but Moulden's goal was not largely troubled thanks to a resolute Wolves defence which stayed strong to deny a side who had scored for fun in the Premier League 2 so far this season.

But the development side were not going to allow Fulham to equalise and instead extended the lead themselves, with the scorer and assister for the opening goal switching for Wolves second, as Hesketh laid the ball into the path of Campbell, who fired a powerful low drive into the far corner.

Substitute Lee Harkin was causing a nuisance of himself for the Fulham defence late in the contest, and it required a clever goalline clearance to deny the Irish striker from adding a third after he neatly clipped the ball over the onrushing Wickins before the ball was turned around the upright as it looked to be heading in.

Fulham believed they had halved the deficit with three minutes of the 90 remaining when Sonny Hilton corner ended up heading straight into the net, but after a moment of consultation, a free-kick was given in Wolves' favour for a foul on Moulden.

But from an almost identical situation, Fulham were handed a route back into the game when Nya was penalised for a foul inside the penalty area from another Hilton corner, and the Fulham man found the bottom left corner having beaten the outstretched Moulden from the spot.

Despite the late drama, the men in gold and black stood strong to claim the three points to lift themselves up to joint top - alongside Fulham, Norwich and Aston Villa - in the Division 2 table.



https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20210920-under-23-report-wolves-2-1-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Pre-Leeds Press Conference

Marco Silva is anticipating an entertaining clash when Fulham host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.

With both teams preferring to play football on the front foot, it could be an exciting affair at the Cottage on Tuesday evening.

"I think so and I hope so," Silva replied when asked if the two teams' styles bodes well for a good game.

"We have to be aggressive, we have to match their intensity because they have a lot of individual and collective quality.

"They always have a high intensity on the pitch, they have very good pace in their front players as well, and a very good manager.

"We want to match them. We like this competition and we want to do well in this competition."

The cup tie gives Silva the opportunity to have a tactical battle with Marcelo Bielsa, someone he holds in high regard.

"It will be a tough game against a very strong side with a very good manager," he said. "Marcelo as a coach has always had many different ideas with the way he likes to play. It's always a really intense game, their press is always really high.

"If you want to match them and fight for the result, then the intensity of the game will be higher 100 per cent, but it's up to us to match it, and after to show our quality as well.

"It will be a really tough one, but we are here, we play at home and want to show our fans that we are here to fight and try to go through in the competition."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/Pre-Leeds-Press-Conference/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham v Leeds United: Ideal opportunity for United's youth to show they can step up
It was never the intention when Stanley Rous and Alan Hardaker came up with the idea in the late 1950s, but the League Cup has become as much a test of squad depth as anything.

It is not a competition big clubs take especially seriously, yet still the last eight finals have been won by either Chelsea or the two Manchester clubs flexing their super-squads.

Depth is not a strength of Leeds United's, nor something coach Marcelo Bielsa even seems that keen on. He has always liked to work with a small group of players but it is getting uncomfortably tight.

It is the nature of modern English football that even the weakest Premier League squads have more beneath the surface than most Football League XIs, yet in round two it took the introduction of Patrick Bamford to make it past a Crewe Alexandra side yet to win in League One at that stage of the season.

Helped by a parachute payment after relegation from last season's top-flight, Championship Fulham's is not far off a Premier League squad.

Even though a fully-committed Leeds would have a good chance of reaching their first major final since reaching Wembley in this competition 25 years ago, defeat at Craven Cottage is unlikely to perturb Bielsa too much but whilst that Crewe victory remains Leeds's only success of 2021-22, a victory would be very reassuring in the away end.

More than anything, it would be nice to know there is some real strength bubbling beneath the first team because it is likely to be needed in a game Leeds will be far more fussed about, at home to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

It is not entirely true to say the Whites have neglected their reserves. They have spent the last 14 months or so hoovering up under-23 talent but few have made the jump to regular first-team football yet and there is little bridging the gap to the tight band of senior players Bielsa relies on.

In his first three seasons it has not been much of an issue - except perhaps when they ran out of steam in early 2019 - but Leeds finished Friday night's game at Newcastle United with Liam Cooper their only fit centre-half after even stand-in Luke Ayling picked up an injury.

When squads are small, Sod's Law not only dictates more injuries, but they also tend to cluster.

Tyler Roberts finished the game as an ill-fitting right-winger with 19-year-old Crysencio Summerville making an understated debut on the left after Jack Harrison became the third Elland Road player in a month to contract Covid-19, and Raphinha went off with a hip injury. "We have four centre-backs and Ayling is a fifth," said Bielsa that night. "To resolve the absence of four of them will be complicated.

"The same with the wingers. We count on (Dan) James, Harrison, Raphinha and Summerville. To lose two of them will make it difficult to resolve. I always have confidence we will find the solutions."

Stuart Dallas can play just about any position, but only one at a time.

It is self-inflicted.

Leeds's nine-man bench at St James' Park had 17 Premier League starts between them, 14 for Roberts, three for Jamie Shackleton, none for the rest. Some of them might be hoping they get the chance to change that with a good audition in west London tonight but much-needed game-changing options were sparse by the Tyne.

Arguably Leeds's first-team squad got weaker in the summer. Junior Firpo should in time be an upgrade on Ezgjan Alioski at least as a left-back, but Kristoffer Klaesson is a much less experienced back-up goalkeeper than Kiko Casilla. Dan James was a big summer signing, but two wingers - Helder Costa and Ian Poveda - left on loan. Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi - bit-part players last season, but numbers nevertheless - were not replaced.

The hope is that Adam Forshaw fills the central midfield hole identified in the summer of 2020 by playing some league football this season but after nearly two years without, it is a lot to bank on.

On the flip-side, the strata of under-23 players is a year older, and Dutch under-19 international Summerville is presumably thought to have overtaken Poveda. Others might be close to ripening.

It is the type of gamble a risk-taking coach like Bielsa revels in but those of a shakier disposition - some even in the boardroom - are less comfortable with.

A big performance from Summerville, 18-year-old centre-back Charlie Cresswell, 19-year-old forward Sam Greenwood or one of the others one injury or false positive PCR test from a Premier League debut would go some way to calming the nerves.

A big defeat could set them jangling.

Last six games: Fulham LWLWWW Leeds United DLDWDL

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex)

Last time: Fulham 1 Leeds United 2, March 19, 2021,



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-v-leeds-united-ideal-opportunity-for-uniteds-youth-to-show-they-can-step-up-3390175

[WhiteJC]

Crysencio Summerville could be involved for Leeds United clash v Fulham tonight

Crysencio Summerville could be handed another chance to shine in the Leeds United senior side when they play Fulham on Tuesday night, according to The Mirror.

The newspaper report via their print edition [September 21, page 55] that after earning his Leeds debut against Newcastle on Friday, the 19-year-old winger "could be given a greater chance tonight".

Jack Harrison and Raphinha are both reportedly out of the Carabao Cup clash at Craven Cottage, opening the door for Summerville to potentially start against Marco Silva's side.

Huge opportunity

With Marcelo Bielsa boasting the likes of Raphinha, Harrison and Daniel James in his wide options, now is as good a chance as any for Summerville to make his mark.

The Dutch winger isn't going to get too many opportunities to shine in the Leeds first-team this season but this is a huge one for him and we hope he grabs it.

We've got high hopes for the teenager, who joined from Feyenoord last year and lit up Premier League 2 with the Whites' Under-23s squad.

Last season, Summerville scored six goals and supplied six assists in 12 Premier League 2 appearances while this term he's started off with two goals in four outings prior to his senior debut on Friday at Newcastle.

Ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan has dubbed Summerville as someone who's "electric, brilliant on the ball, very direct, quick feet" [Football Insider].

We really cannot wait to see what he can do against Fulham if he's handed a start by Bielsa at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/crysencio-summerville-could-be-involved-for-leeds-united-clash-v-fulham-tonight/

[WhiteJC]

The highest-rated Championship players on FIFA 22

The release of FIFA 22 is coming soon and the ratings for EFL players are out now.

Here are the highest rated players in the Championship –

10.  Philip Zinckernagel, Nottingham Forest, 75

He is on loan at Nottingham Forest from Premier League side Watford and sneaks into the top 10.

9. Harry Wilson, Fulham, 75

Eyebrows were raised when he dropped back into the Championship this past summer from Liverpool.

8. Lewis Cook, Bournemouth, 75

The ex-Leeds United midfielder has some useful midfielder stats such as 77 for dribbling and 75 for passing.

7. John Fleck, Sheffield United, 75

He just edges ahead of Cook with 76 for dribbling, 75 for physical and 75 for passing making him a stalwart in the middle of the park on FIFA 22 for the Blades.

6. Robin Olsen, Sheffield United, 76

The Sweden international rocked up at Bramall Lane late last month on loan from Roma having spent last season with Everton in the Premier League.

5. Jack O'Connell, Sheffield United, 76

He is the highest rated Championship defender on the new FIFA.

4. Sander Berge, Sheffield United, 76

The midfielder stayed with the Yorkshire side over the summer despite rumours he could leave after their relegation from the top flight.

3. David Brooks, Bournemouth, 76

He has 79 for dribbling and 73 for pace and is rated the best outfield player in the EFL on the game.

2. Sam Johnstone, West Brom, 77

The Baggies stopper stayed put in the last transfer window and most notably has 79 for reflexes and 79 for diving.

1. Paulo Gazzaniga, Fulham, 77

Fulham's goalkeeper is the highest rated Championship player on FIFA 22. The former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur man has 79 for diving, 79 for reflexes and a huge 85 for kicking.



https://the72.co.uk/250845/the-highest-rated-championship-players-on-fifa-22/

[WhiteJC]

Bielsa to mix things up for Cottagers visit

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 21st September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Bielsa to mix things up for Cottagers visit

There are a lot of absentees for Leeds United at Fulham tonight with Koch, Llorente, Ayling, Harrison all ruled out. Patrick Bamford also took a knock in the second half at Newcastle and is not expected to play. Forshaw has a chance of featuring though. Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw, Crysencio Summerville, Dan James and even Charlie Cresswell are all expected to be including in the starting line up at Craven Cottage this evening. It could be a chance for in form striker Joe Gelhardt to start following his brace against Liverpool U23a but Elland Road sources claim that Tyler Roberts will instead occupy the number nine role.

Expected line up: Meslier, Shackleton, Cresswell, Cooper, Firpo, Forshaw, Klich, Dallas, James, Summerville, Roberts

Anxious wait on Ayling

Leeds face an anxious wait to find out whether Luke Ayling has suffered knee ligament damage during the closing stages of last Friday nights clash at St James Park. Should the versatile defender have damaged his Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL - The ligament, located in the centre of the knee, that controls rotation and forward movement of the tibia), he could be sidelined for most of the season! Former player, and Leeds Utd Foundation Officer Noel Whelan expressed his concern...

We are already struggling with centre-halves. Ayling's didn't look the worst to me at the time. He just came in and blocked a challenge, that dangling leg just got caught. It looked like he may have tweaked a knee ligament, which would be the last thing Bielsa needs. They will have a look and hopefully it isn't too bad.

Leeds should have been awarded penalty - Gallagher

Veteran referee, now pundit Dermot Gallagher has stated that Leeds should have been awarded a penalty for Joe Willock's challenge on Dan James last Friday night at St James Park. The 64 year old ex Premier League referee was asked whether the Toon were lucky to escape a spot kick, to which Gallagher replied...

    I think Mike Dean thinks Dan James has run into Willock. I think maybe he's too close and doesn't have a clear view. I think it's a foul and penalty – he puts the ball by, and there, Willock goes in and stops him. I think that's as high on the tolerance level before the VAR reviews.



https://motforum.com/article.php?page=42130

[WhiteJC]

2 conundrums Marco Silva has at Fulham right now that need to be fixed

After their 2-1 home defeat to Reading at the weekend, Marco Silva's Fulham face a tough home fixture against Leeds United tonight in the Carabao Cup, before they can redeem themselves in returning to Championship action on Saturday afternoon.

They travel to Bristol City at the weekend against a side who have failed to win any of their four league games at Ashton Gate so far this season, claiming just three points from a possible 12 and faring much better on the road.

In the Cottagers' last away game, they hammered Birmingham City 4-1 with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson proving to be the vital duo in their victory.

And they can also take great heart from the fact they remain in second place despite last weekend's setback against Reading, as they look set to be one of the favourites to win automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo at the back and Mitrovic up top will give them the best possible chance of achieving that aim, although if their recent defeats to Blackpool and Reading are anything to go by, there will be challenges to face throughout the 2021/22 campaign.

Even with Saturday's loss behind them, there are dilemmas Marco Silva faces in the present moment and we have listed just two of those.

What to do with Jay Stansfield
This may not seem like the biggest issue for Marco Silva to deal with in the short term, but how the 44-year-old handles teenage striker Jay Stansfield could be vital in the long run.

There's no doubt the 18-year-old is talented, but he can only develop to a certain point without a sufficient amount of first-team football.

He scored a cracker against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup this season and has appeared on the bench in two league games for the Cottagers during 2021/22 – but has failed to gain any Championship minutes and isn't likely to be heavily involved this term.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is unlikely to be dropped barring injuries, suspensions or a loss in form, Bobby Decordova-Reid is someone the second-tier side are probably going to persist with and new signing Rodrigo Muniz will be ahead of the teenager in the pecking order.

A couple of injuries could change everything and Stansfield will have benefitted from training with the first team, but they need to make a choice on the forward in January.

After scoring 22 times in 14 Premier League 2 appearances during the 2019/20 campaign and recording nine goal contributions in ten matches in the same competition last term, it feels as though he's already hit his ceiling in youth football.

But would a loan in the lower leagues knock his confidence if he fails to adapt to the physicality of senior football? He played well at Birmingham last month, so there would be no harm in shipping him out temporarily.

It's a decision they need to make now to avoid uncertainty in the lead up to January.

How to keep their central midfielders happy
Ideally, you would stick with the same two at the heart of midfield to retain familiarity and consistency, which usually helps performances on the pitch in turn.

However, they have four extremely talented central midfielders who would get in most Championship sides' starting lineups every week. Unfortunately for them, there are only two spots up for grabs.

After Jean Michael Seri's re-emergence at Fulham, he's a firm favourite to keep his place in central midfield, although manager Silva will be reluctant to drop Nathaniel Chalobah after only just securing his signature at the end of last month.

The duo started last weekend, with Harrison Reed and Josh Onomah also available as two options to the Fulham boss.

If he hasn't already, the 44-year-old needs to be in regular dialogue with each of the four to try and keep them happy, because all four would have been expecting to start more often than not now they're back in the second tier.

This is even excluding Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa who signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Craven Cottage before heading out on a season-long loan deal to Napoli. The Cameroonian isn't a short-term to deal with because of this loan, but it certainly gives Silva food for thought on his central midfield area.

Having all these options is exciting, but the cost that comes with that is potential unhappiness and this will only be detrimental to their promotion chances.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-conundrums-marco-silva-has-at-fulham-right-now-that-need-to-be-fixed/

[WhiteJC]

Wolves U23s beat Premier League 2 Division 2 league leaders Fulham

Wolves' Under 23 side were in action last night, taking on Fulham at Aggborough.

Fulham went into the match top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table having not lost a game.

But that unbeaten record was ended by James' Collins side, who won 2-1 thanks to goals from Owen Hesketh and Chem Campbell.

That makes it four wins from four home matches in all competitions for Collins' side this season.

It was a hugely impressive result against a table-topping side who were unbeaten.

Wolves conceded late on and had to withstand Fulham pressure but did exactly that to get the job done.

Chem Campbell was the star of the show, laying on Hesketh's goal with a stunning assist before bagging a goal himself.

Wolves have loaned out a host of young players this season too, meaning that Collins' squad is young.

But they're looking strong, especially on their own patch, and last night they provided an eye-catching result and sit joint top of the league now, on 10 points along with Fulham, Norwich and Aston Villa.



https://www.molineux.news/match/wolves-u23s-beat-premier-league-2-division-2-league-leaders-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Phil Hay: Patrick Bamford unlikely to play in Leeds United clash v Fulham due to knock

Patrick Bamford is unlikely to play for Leeds United when they take on Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night due to a knock, according to Phil Hay.

Writing via his personal Twitter account on Tuesday morning, The Athletic's Leeds correspondent reported that Bamford, 28, suffered a minor setback in the draw at Newcastle on Friday and is unlikely to be involved at Craven Cottage this week.

Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison are understood be ruled out due to injury while Pascal Struijk is suspended.

Hay adds that Adam Forshaw could be involved for the clash against the Championship high-flyers after he played for the Under-23s in their 4-0 win against Liverpool on Sunday.

Hopefully not serious

Marcelo Bielsa is facing an injury nightmare right now and it could not have come at a worse time.

Leeds are still without a win in the Premier League and have some very favourable fixtures on the horizon.

While West Ham is a tough game this weekend, after that, the Whites play Watford, Southampton, Wolves and Norwich.

Going into those games, having as many players unavailable as we do is a worry and if Bamford misses any league games too, that will be just our luck.

It doesn't make sense to risk Bamford against Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

While we'd love to see Bielsa take the Yorkshire giants on a run in the cup, we can understand that he's facing major injury issues at the moment and could be forced into play fringe and Under-23s players at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have lost two of their last three Championship games so they're not in the best of form.

But hopefully we can still win this without Bamford and co.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/phil-hay-patrick-bamford-unlikely-to-play-in-leeds-united-clash-v-fulham-due-to-knock/

[WhiteJC]

Phil Hay underlines five-fold Leeds United blow ahead of Fulham trip; one positive emerges - LeedsAllOver

Leeds United look set to be without several first-team players when they make the trip to Fulham in the Carabao Cup this evening.

Kalvin Phillips' rise at Leeds

Kalvin Phillips has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Leeds United. From helping United to promotion in 2020 to representing England at the Euros a year later. Relive his story.

That's according to The Athletic's Phil Hay, who does add that Adam Forshaw could be involved in the cup once again.

Despite the fact we are still in the early stages of the season, fitness issues are already starting to take a heavy toll on Leeds.

That is something that looks set to have a big say on Marcelo Bielsa's team selection at Craven Cottage, as his side look to secure a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Providing an update on availability ahead of that game, Hay identified five Leeds players – Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Luke Ayling, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford – who are set to be absent from the match in London.

Leeds do however, look set to be handed one boost, with the news that Adam Forshaw could be in contention to feature against Fulham.

The midfielder has so far made one senior appearance – in the cup win over Crewe this season – and could now get another run-out here, as he continues his recovery after almost two years out through injury problems of his own.

It could be argued that we will only see how big Leeds' injury concerns are when it comes to their Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday.

While there can be no denying those five players will be missed against Fulham, the league will no doubt take priority over the cup, particularly after such a slow start to the season.

As a result, you wonder whether those five key players might have been rested for this game anyway, to focus on trying to pick up a long awaited three points this weekend.

However, the potential return of Forshaw tonight is a positive. The midfielder has waited a long time to play regularly again, and a decent run out this evening would be another big step towards that for him.



https://www.leedsallover.com/phil-hay-underlines-five-fold-leeds-united-blow-ahead-of-fulham-trip-one-positive-emerges/