Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 28/09/21...

[WhiteJC]

Michael Obafemi out for Fulham on Wednesday

New signing from Southampton Michael Obafemi, who has a history of injuries, will again miss out after injury struck again last week. This current set back will more than likely see him excluded from the Derby County game on Saturday as well.

Obafemi's lightening pace seems to have dogged him again as he is being treated for a muscle injury after last weeks thrilling Luton Town game. Although no injuries were reported by Russell Martin in his press briefing before the home game against Huddersfield Town, both Obafemi and Ryan Bennett missed Saturdays win.

"Michael will take a little bit longer than Benno. He felt a muscle late on at Luton. We have to be careful because of his injury history and lack of pre-season, we have to take that a bit slower than we'd like. "Hopefully he'll be fit for Derby, or if not, the derby against Cardiff"

Injuries have been an issue this season for the swans with Liam Walsh, Korey Smith, Ryan Bennett and Michael Obafemi all suffering from knocks. Luckily Bennett will be back in contention for a starting place on Wednesday, but Martin's starting eleven is taking shape. For it to be a continued success the protective way he looks after players will be key this season.

The swans travel to Fulham on Wednesday looking to continue their recent upturn in form for the toughest test so far this season.



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/news/55877/michael-obafemi-out-for-fulham-on-wednesday

[WhiteJC]

Meet the officials | Fulham

Joshua Smith will be the referee when Swansea City face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night (7.45pm).

The Bedfordshire official is taking charge of the Swans for just the second time, having had the whistle for the recent home clash against Stoke.

Smith began refereeing in the EFL during the 2019-20 season, and was promoted to Championship duties last term.

He will be assisted by Michael George and Graham Kane, while Andy Davies is the fourth official.




https://www.swanseacity.com/news/meet-officials-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Dibley-Dias signs three-year deal

Midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias has signed his first professional contract with Fulham, the club have confirmed this morning.

The seventeen year-old, who made nineteen appearances for Fulham's under 18s scoring four goals as Steve Wigley's side retained their league title, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Craven Cottage. Dibley-Dias, who had spells at West Ham and Brentford before moving to Motspur Park in the summer of 2016, has a significant Brazilian footballing family pedigree, with his grandfather playing for Flamengo and Corinthians in the 1950s and 1960s.

He told Fulham's official website:

"I'm really pleased to extend my stay at the club. I've enjoyed my time here so far and have worked hard so I'm grateful to continue this journey. I think this is the best place for me to improve as a player and further my career as a footballer."

Fulham's head of football development, Huw Jennings, added:

We're really happy with this because Matt's a very good player in the making. He's an intelligent midfielder who has had his challenges with injury, but he's got great potential and will hopefully be back soon supporting our 18s and 23s. He's got all the tools to be a really excellent footballer."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/dibley-dias-signs-three-year-deal/

[WhiteJC]

Harrison Reed makes honest admission as he reflects on Fulham's latest display

Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed has admitted that he believes that his side should have sealed all three points in their clash with Bristol City on Saturday.

The Cottagers took the lead at Ashton Gate in the 50th minute of the game as Aleksandar Mitrovic netted his seventh goal of the season.

Nigel Pearson's side then levelled proceedings via a strike from Kasey Palmer.

During the closing stages of the game, Fulham went close to grabbing a winner as Mitrovic's strike hit the crossbar.

As a result of this draw, Fulham lost ground on league leaders AFC Bournemouth who extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to nine games with a victory over Luton Town.

After missing the club's 2-1 defeat to Reading due to a knock, Reed made his return to league action against the Robins in the second-half of this particular fixture.

The midfielder will now be hoping to start for Fulham in their clash with Swansea City on Wednesday.

Reflecting on his side's latest display on Instagram, the midfielder has revealed that he believes that Fulham should have beaten the Robins and will now be focusing on getting back on track in their upcoming showdown at Craven Cottage.

Reed posted: "Should have been 3 points but that's how football goes sometimes.

"We look forward to Wednesday back at the Cottage!"

The Verdict

When you consider that Fulham had 64% possession against the Robins, it is hardly a surprise that Reed was disappointed that his side couldn't clinch a win on their travels.

The Cottagers will now need to dust themselves down before they host Swansea later this week.

Having recently recorded an impressive WhoScored match rating of 6.87 in the club's League Cup clash with Leeds United, Reed could make a difference for Fulham against the Jacks if he is given the nod to start by manager Marco Silva.

Providing that the Cottagers are able to seal all three points in-front of their own supporters on Wednesday, they could potentially use the momentum gained from this result to push on in the Championship.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/harrison-reed-makes-honest-admission-as-he-reflects-on-fulhams-latest-display/

[WhiteJC]

Games for Mid-week 28/09...
Our last game of September see's us welcome Swansea City for a Wednesday evening kick-off under the lights at Craven Cottage.

Have the wheels come off? I don't think so however, after only 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses in the last 4 four games since the "international break" we've definitely lost the momentum that we'd built from the start of the season.
A lot of the problem could be our ever growing injury list although we should have adequate cover from what is probably the best squad in the Championship? Having said that winning, loosing or drawing is often down to fine margins and if "player A" isn't quite as good as "player B" and you have multiple changes then lack of consistency could play a part?

Swansea had a good win against Huddersfield at the weekend, our record against them is another close one with 4 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw.

Once again I'm assuming that Cairney, Kongolo, Tete and young Carvalho won't be available so my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Tuesday 28th
Middlesborough v Sheff Utd
QPR v Birmingham City

Wednesday 29th
Fulham v Swansea
Millwall v Bristol City
Peterborough v Bournemouth

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1706

[WhiteJC]

2 Fulham headaches Marco Silva has after late draw v Bristol City

Frustration hit Fulham again at the weekend as a Kasey Palmer goal cancelled out Aleksandar Mitrovic's earlier strike to leave the Cottagers earning just one point from their trip to Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.

Bristol City's home form has been abject in recent times and Marco Silva will have felt as though his Fulham side was more than good enough to get a result there and get back to winning ways after losing to Reading the weekend before.

That's not what happened, though, with the Whites having to settle for a point, and Silva may have a couple of things to consider ahead of this Wednesday's game with Swansea City.

We take a look at those now...

Cutting edge needs consistency
The story of the match for Fulham, and not for the first time this season, was they simply did not take their chances.

It's happened at Blackpool already this year, whilst against the Robins and Reading, they've totalled 47 shots on goal, with ten on target and two just finding the back of the net.

They showed against Birmingham with four goals from 15 attempts that they can be prolific in front of goal – they just need to be so on a more consistent basis.

Who fills the Carvalho void?
Fabio Carvalho will eventually return but it does seem as though Fulham are yet to find a real consistent way of playing without him in the side, and if he gets injured again or is poached by one of Europe's big sides that's an issue in the short-term.

Fulham have huge talent without him on the pitch and should be getting on fine enough when he is missing but things have stuttered a bit of late, and Silva needs to find combinations and patterns of play that will work regardless of which personnel are involved.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-fulham-headaches-marco-silva-has-after-late-draw-v-bristol-city/

[WhiteJC]

Beat Marco Silva's tactics at a wobbling Fulham and it's 'Child's Play' for Swansea City

Its quite simple, Fulham may well have knocked four goals across the bows of Birmingham and five against Huddersfield. However, they have a home record which tells a story about how their season is fairing, and none of it has been smooth sailing.

Beating Hull and Stoke at home fairly convincingly at the start of the season were expected results from all those concerned at Craven Cottage. New manager Marco Silva was working some early magic and all seemed good. Unfortunately the championship doesn't work like that and apart from a very worthy 4-1 away win at Birmingham City a blip was noticeable. Losing away at Blackpool 1-0, then at home to Reading 2-1 along with a 1-1 draw away at Bristol City has concerned many Fulham fans. They also exited the league cup at home to Leeds.

The surprising move of Scott Parker to Bournemouth and even more surprising appointment of Silva for us is the issue. Like all managers Parker was beginning to get a bit stale at Fulham, familiarity breeds contempt and all that. He needed in his words ' new oxygen' but Marco Silva ? It seemed a strange move. Silva's career has either been one way or the other, he lurches between success and failure far too quickly, at Hull, Watford and Everton these phases were extremely noticeable. All but one lasted little longer than 6 months or so, none came with any success, and all ended acrimoniously.

His win rate this season is still excellent on 54%, albeit his recent results have been poor. At Hull he was manager for just 22 games before complaining about the pitch at the Kcom. He was there five months, won 8 games out of 22 and was borderline getting the bullet before he resigned. At Watford it was the same story, 8 wins in 26 games, borderline getting the sack when for some reason Everton paid 4 million for his services. Again Silva was only at Watford for 7 months. At Everton the trend continued, 24 wins out of 60 games was better but it didn't save him from another sacking. After a year or so he was gone. Sam Allardyce did better than Silva at Everton, its a results business and Silva didn't get them. Just prior to Silva's sacking at Goodson Park Football 365 noted "It is so easy to create a crisis inside Everton Football Club." Indeed, Marco Silva is making it look like child's play "

Silva made child's play of his error ridden, crisis management at Everton

Now Silva finds himself at Fulham, and after a decent start a similar pattern is reoccurring. Even with millions spent, a premier league squad and the support of his employers Silva is beginning to wobble. Certain Fulham fans have noticed it too. Others are still hanging on to the fact there are teams they should beat easily. One poster on FulhamWeb posted today "We will be fully expected to beat Swansea and Coventry in our next two games, but don't hold your breath, and be prepared for the unexpected, although I expect us to win both quite comfortably. Then my glasses are rose tinted" Fair comment but the Silva factor hasn't been taken in to account.

Like many swans fans on Steve Cooper, Parker does come up in conversation, the general feeling on the Friends of Fulham board is 'Who cares? Seriously! I don't. Happy hes gone. We've moved on. Move on!' Wise words, the issue is that what have Fulham moved on too ? A manager with a less than decent track record and results starting to deteriorate. Okay, Fulham should win on Wednesday evening under the splendid river side lights of the Thames, they more than likely will. They have to. For Russell Martin this is a free hit, anything he gets is going to be a positive, Derby away on Saturday will be seen by many as the result Swansea City need more.

It's going to be an exciting game for sure, LIVE on SKY Sports as well, it's Russell Martin's big test, and one which if he fails will hardly put him in any jeopardy. Marco Silva on the other hand ... ?



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/news/55878/beat-marco-silva%E2%80%99s-tactics-at-a-wobbling-fulham-and-it%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98child%E2%80%99s-play%E2%80%99-for-swansea-city

[WhiteJC]

The next Fabio Carvalho? Another youngster signs new deal at Fulham

Fulham have today confirmed that young midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias has signed a professional contract with Fulham, keeping him at the club until 2024.

Dibley Dias, who is an energetic box-to-box midfielder has made a fantastic start to his Under-18 career at Fulham where he's appeared 20 times for the club.

He recorded four goals and three assists and was part of the Fulham side that retained the Under-18 Premier League last season. Dibley-Dias spoke to Fulham's official website about extending his stay at the club.

"I'm really pleased to extend my stay at the club. I've enjoyed my time here so far and have worked hard so I'm grateful to continue this journey. I think this is the best place for me to improve as a player and further my career as a footballer."

The youngster arrived at the club in 2016 following spells at West Ham and Brentford and has a fantastic footballing background. His Grandfather playing football back in the 1950s and 60s for Brazilian sides Flamengo and Corinthians.

Dibley-Dias who in one of the first names on the team sheet for the Under-18s, will soon be hoping to make the breakthrough into the U23s then into the first team.

With players in the past such as Ryan Sessegnon, Moussa Dembele and as of recent Fabio Carvalho and Jay Stansfield, there is no doubt young players are able to make the breakthrough and be given the chance around the first team.

In the recent Carabao Cup game against Leeds United, Taye Ashby-Hammond, Marlon Fossey, Jay Stansfield and Oliver O'Neill were all involved in the squad, giving hope for youngster Dibley-Dias and his teammates.

Dibley-Dias is next in action for the U18s this weekend as they face a trip to Birmingham City, Fulham currently find themselves in 3rd-place with four wins and one loss.



https://the72.co.uk/251439/the-next-fabio-carvalho-another-youngster-signs-new-deal-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Antonee Robinson sends message to Fulham fans amid winless run

Fulham are without a win in their last three in all competitions and are now four points off of top spot.

Antonee Robinson took to Instagram to address the weekend's draw at Bristol City and to look ahead to their midweek hosting of Swansea City.

He posted: "Another disappointing result not taking all 3 points, hopefully make it right Wednesday, thanks to the travelling fans for the support as always."

The Cottagers looked to be running away with the division after the opening handful of fixtures but have regressed in terms of their clinical finishing in recent weeks dropping to fourth place.

It must be said that Fulham are still creating plenty of chances and if Aleksandar Mitrovic had his shooting boots on at Ashton Gate the outcome could have been very different.

It is not panic stations yet for Marco Silva but all the time the Cottagers are below the automatic promotion spots he will be under pressure.

Swansea City will pose an intriguing test in midweek with Russell Martin's possession based philosophy and interesting challenge, expect Fulham's skillful attacking players to press the Swans high up the pitch in looking for openings. Fulham are losing ground every time they drop points so the pressure is on this Wednesday evening.

The Verdict

Robinson will remain confident in his side's ability to come out the other side of this blip after playing a significant role in their devastating form at the start of the campaign. Fabio Carvalho's injury seems to have had a knock-on effect on the rest of the side and Silva may look to tweak the system ahead of the Swans' visit to Craven Cottage.

A second tier side with the likes of Joe Bryan, Harrison Reed and Ivan Cavaleiro to bring off of the bench has no excuses to be outside the top two and with Bournemouth taking the reins at the summit Fulham will be desperate to get back to winning ways.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/antonee-robinson-sends-message-to-fulham-fans-amid-winless-run/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham player seen as 'best midfielder' in the league – 'Truly complete', comparisons to Chelsea great

To say that André-Frank Zambo Anguissa has started well at Napoli since he was loaned there by Fulham would be an understatement.

Journalists covering Serie A are falling over themselves to praise the Cameroon international for his latest performances, with some going extremely far in their analysis of the player's level.

Lele Adani, who was speaking to Bobo TV on Twitch and relayed by CalcioNapoli24, is one such person.

He said: "Anguissa is now the best midfielder in Serie A! There is no story. Anguissa reminds me of the first Michael Essien, not in physique but execution. When he played for Lyon, before going to Chelsea and Real Madrid. He really resembled him.

"Anguissa knows how to do everything: he protects the ball and with oriented controls, he leads and brings the ball out. He is a truly complete midfielder".

Comparisons to players such as Essien are clearly huge compliments, such is the Ghanaian's stature in the world of football after his illustrious career, and there's certainly something to take from it.

Just for context, these words from Adani are coming after just five appearances in a Napoli shirt, of which the Fulham loanee has only missed six minutes.

Draw against Leicester City aside, the Serie A side remain unbeaten in the league, and Zambo Anguissa has helped them win the last four on the trot, including a 2-1 victory over Juventus in his first ever apperance.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-now-seen-best-midfielder-league-truly-complete-comparisons-chelsea-great/

[WhiteJC]

Exclusive: Ian Holloway makes claim about Fulham's hopes of achieving promotion

Discovery + and Quest pundit Ian Holloway has admitted that he believes that it will not be easy for Fulham to achieve promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Cottagers are looking to seal an immediate return to the top-flight after suffering relegation earlier this year.

With Scott Parker opting to move on to pastures new, Marco Silva was handed over the reins at Fulham in July.

The 44-year-old has made a relatively positive start to his tenure in charge of the club as he has led the Cottagers to five wins in their opening nine league fixtures.

Currently fourth in the Championship standings, Fulham will be determined to push on in the coming months by delivering the goods on a consistent basis at this level.

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Holloway has insisted that whilst he believes Fulham will be in contention for promotion, they may not find it easy to book their place in the Premier League.

The former Bristol Rovers manager said: "I don't think [promotion] is that clean-cut at all.

"I think they have got an advantage, they have kept a lot of their good players and they've got a manager who has been in the Premier League himself and is desperate to get back there.

"But I felt they lost a very good manager as well in Scott Parker so it is a wait and see thing."

Holloway later added: "They do play a wonderful way and they will be there or thereabouts.

"But I don't think it is as easy as everybody thinks so they will have a challenge to get up.

"It's okay being favourites, it's alright saying that but it is never as easy as that in the Championship.

"There is not an easy game anywhere."

Set to face Swansea City at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, Silva's side will be determined to seal all three points in-front of their own supporters in this clash.

You watch all the latest EFL highlights on discovery+ and Quest.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-ian-holloway-makes-claim-about-fulhams-hopes-of-achieving-promotion/

[Bill2]

Fulham player seen as 'best midfielder' in the league – 'Truly complete', comparisons to Chelsea great

To say that André-Frank Zambo Anguissa has started well at Napoli since he was loaned there by Fulham would be an understatement.

Journalists covering Serie A are falling over themselves to praise the Cameroon international for his latest performances, with some going extremely far in their analysis of the player's level.

Lele Adani, who was speaking to Bobo TV on Twitch and relayed by CalcioNapoli24, is one such person.

He said: "Anguissa is now the best midfielder in Serie A! There is no story. Anguissa reminds me of the first Michael Essien, not in physique but execution. When he played for Lyon, before going to Chelsea and Real Madrid. He really resembled him.

"Anguissa knows how to do everything: he protects the ball and with oriented controls, he leads and brings the ball out. He is a truly complete midfielder".

Comparisons to players such as Essien are clearly huge compliments, such is the Ghanaian's stature in the world of football after his illustrious career, and there's certainly something to take from it.

Just for context, these words from Adani are coming after just five appearances in a Napoli shirt, of which the Fulham loanee has only missed six minutes.

Draw against Leicester City aside, the Serie A side remain unbeaten in the league, and Zambo Anguissa has helped them win the last four on the trot, including a 2-1 victory over Juventus in his first ever apperance.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-now-seen-best-midfielder-league-truly-complete-comparisons-chelsea-great/

All I can say top that is that the standard of football must be pretty poor, he was not bad for us but not great. Also the remark "he knows how to do everything" not quite true as he cannot score a goal and assists are pretty thin on the ground.