Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 01/12/21...

[WhiteJC]

Millwall boss Gary Rowett makes Fulham and Bournemouth comment

Millwall boss Gary Rowett has suggested to News at Den that his side have been no worse than the likes of Fulham and Bournemouth recently.

The Lions are currently on a run of no wins in their last four Sky Bet Championship games, with that cluster of results coming off the back of the club being in their best position after 20 games since their return to the second tier in the 2017/18 season.

Millwall's defeat to Hull City last weekend was only their fifth of the current campaign and third in their last 16 games, highlighting the good work that has been done by Rowett, his staff and his players so far this term.

Now the Lions boss has highlighted one particular statistic in response to suggestions that there could be some panic after their recent winless run:

"No, not really because you can flip a statistic any way you want.

"In the last 15 games only Fulham and Bournemouth have had more points than us.

"So I don't think we're in a bad position. We've drawn games, we should have beaten Bournemouth in the week, it was a good performance."

Millwall currently occupy 10th place heading into the next round of fixtures and continue to be talked about as potential darkhorses for a play-off spot this season.

Up next for Rowett's men is a home game against Birmingham City on Saturday as the Blues visit the Den.

The Verdict

It is certainly a great way to assess their current situation and you can tell that Rowett is very pleased with the performances that his side has put in so far.

The real worry for them is scoring goals regularly as sometimes they only pick up results by narrow margins.

Getting a couple of players to be scoring week in week out will certainly help their cause if they want to finish in the top six and once again Jed Wallace will inevitably be key.

At present things are looking good for the Lions despite their recent results and they will be confident of turning things round.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/millwall-boss-gary-rowett-makes-fulham-and-bournemouth-comment/

[WhiteJC]

One winner and one loser at Fulham if club strike reported £18m transfer agreement

Fulham are looking to strike a deal with Angers attacking midfielder Angelo Fulgini, as per a report from The Sun.

According to the report, Fulgini could cost the Cottagers around the £18 million mark, with the 25-year-old eager to make a move to England.

The Ivory Coast-born midfielder has shone for Ligue Un club Angers this season, with Fulgini chipping in with two goals and two assists, which included a strike against PSG, in 14 matches in France's top-flight.

Fulham currently possess a plethora of attacking options in and around the talismanic figure of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Here, we take a look at one winner and one loser if Fulham do manage to strike a deal with Angers for the highly-rated number 10...

One winner – Aleksandar Mitrovic
Mitrovic has been excellent this season, netting 21 games in just 19 Championship outings thus far, but the service he is being provided with is vital to his success in front of goal.

The likes of Neeskens Kebano, Fabio Carvalho, Harry Wilson and Bobby Decordova-Reid, have played big roles in constantly supplying Mitrovic with chances, and with another creative outlet in Fulgini potentially joining the club, Mitrovic can be sure that opportunities will connote to arise.

Fulgini is a player that deserves to be operating at top-tier level, much like the majority of the Fulham squad, and will add an extra dimension to the Cottagers in the attacking third.

One loser – Bobby Decordova-Reid
Decordova-Reid is a phenomenal player at Championship level but could see fewer minutes on the pitch if Fulgini is to arrive in January.

He has already chipped in with two goals and five assists this season, but with Carvalho returning to full fitness, he has dropped to the bench for the past three games.

IF Carvalho is to stay at Craven Cottage, and Fulgini arrives in West London, then Decordova-Reid will drop even further down the pecking order.

The Jamaican international is too good to be sitting on the bench in the Championship.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/one-winner-and-one-loser-at-fulham-if-club-strike-reported-18m-transfer-agreement/

[WhiteJC]

Did you know these 3 interesting facts about Fulham FC?

Fulham are on course to head back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The Cottagers are top of the Championship right now, thanks in no small part to red hot striker Aleksandar Mitrovic's 21 goals in 19 games this term, and will be hoping to remain at the summit of the second tier between now and May.

Given the strength of Marco Silva's squad and the way they've been playing so far, 2021/22 looks set to be an enjoyable campaign for fans of the west London club.

We've got an extra treat for Fulham supporters today as we've dug up three interesting facts about the Cottagers – did you know any of these?

North and South
Fulham have been at current home Craven Cottage, famously perched on the north bank of the Thames, for more than a century now but they've spent time south of the river as well.

The club were nomadic in their early days and called grounds on either side of the river home, including the likes of Star Road, the Ranelagh Club, Lillie Road, Eel Brook Common, Purser's Cross, Barn Elms, and the Half Moon – which they shared with Wasps Rugby club.

Ace of Base
Talking of Craven Cottage, the storied ground may be familiar to fans of the Swedish 90s pop group Ace of Base.

Fulham's home featured in the video for their 1995 hit song 'Beautiful Life', which was on the album The Bridge and peaked at number 15 in the US Billboard 100 chart.

Don't believe us, head to 2:06 in the video below...

A proper servant to the club
In recent years, Fulham have bounced between the Premier League and the Championship but it was not too long ago that they found themselves in the fourth tier of English football.

The west London club rose meteorically from the fourth tier to the top flight between 1996 and 2001, and there is one player that featured for them in every division.

That player is midfielder Sean Davis, who came through the club's academy system and would go on to make more than 150 appearances for them.

Davis left in 2004 and featured for Tottenham, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers, and Bristol City before hanging up his boots.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/did-you-know-these-3-interesting-facts-about-fulham-fc/

[WhiteJC]

Angelo Fulgini to Fulham: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer?

Fulham are said to be interested in signing Angers midfielder Angelo Fulgini, as per a recent report by The Sun.

As stated in the report, the player is said to be keen on a move to England and is believed to be valued at around £18 million by the French side.

Here, we take some time to weigh up this move in detail for Fulham as they eye the 25-year-old.

Is it a good potential move?
This move would certainly have it's positives. Fulgini is a player who is well into his prime and is thriving at a very good level in the French top flight at present.

Add to the fact that he can play in numerous midfield roles and it is fair to say that he ticks a lot of boxes for what Marco Silva wants from his players.

The financial side of the deal is slightly questionable however, especially as it would be a lot of money to spend during the middle of the season.

Fulham therefore could be tempted to look at cheaper alternatives after splashing the cash so frequently over the summer.

Would he start?
This is something that would certainly be up for debate, particularly given the embarrassment of attacking and midfield options that Fulham have at their disposal.

Assuming that Fabio Carvalho departs in the new year, Fulgini would be an almost like for like replacement for the youngster.

In addition to this he can also play up top as a false nine and as a deeper lying central midfielder, so he certainly has the ability to adapt to various positions in order to claim a starting spot.

However as seen in the case of Rodrigo Muniz at Craven Cottage, it is easier said than done when attempting to break into the starting eleven under Silva.

What does he offer?
Fulgini offers a mix of flair and creativity that would definitely be well suited to the way that Fulham are playing their football this season.

He would also provide another attacking alternative to that of the usual starting eleven, thus allowing the likes of Aleksander Mitrovic and Bobby Reid to be rested on the odd occasion.

The Frenchman is also a player that has played at a higher level than the Championship and would surely be signing that would be made with promotion in mind.

Although slightly on the more costly side, this deal does have the potential to further enhance the club's promotion credentials moving forwards.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/angelo-fulgini-to-fulham-is-it-a-good-potential-move-would-he-start-what-does-he-offer/

[WhiteJC]

The latest news on Aleksandar Mitrovic's situation at Fulham amid Villarreal transfer talk

Fulham's Aleksander Mitrovic is said to be a January target for Spanish La Liga side Villarreal, as per a recent report by Fichajes.net.

The 27-year-old has been far and away the Sky Bet Championship's most prolific and consistent goalscorers this season and currently tops the charts with an astonishing 21 goals in his opening 19 league games.

El Submarino Amarillo are said to have sent scouts to watch the Serbian international during Fulham's recent 4-1 thrashing of Barnsley, with the Spaniards said to be keen on attempting to bring the striker to El Madrigal at the turn of the new year.

Villarreal are said to have earmarked a fee of around £16 million as enough to prize the forward away from Craven Cottage, however there is yet to have been any indication that Fulham would even be interested in selling the player let alone entering negotiations over a potential transfer.

Mitrovic of course signed a new contract extension with the club back in August and at present is set to be playing in a white shirt until the summer of 2026 at least, which means that the Championship side are in a very strong position if he was to push for a move abroad.

Given that they are currently on course to achieve an instant return to the Premier League and the fact that the team is built around Mitrovic himself, Marco Silva's men are bound to be more relaxed over this situation given the current circumstances.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-latest-news-on-aleksandar-mitrovics-situation-at-fulham-amid-villarreal-transfer-talk/

[WhiteJC]

David Prutton reveals key concern about Fulham ahead of AFC Bournemouth match

Pundit David Prutton believes league leaders Fulham are at their most vulnerable at the back when they are comfortable in games, accusing their defence of being too relaxed at times in the Sky Sports EFL Podcast.

These comments came after the Cottagers dropped points away against Preston North End at the weekend, conceding a controversial 72nd-minute equaliser with two potential handballs heavily contributing to Ched Evans' close-range finish.

The visitors had taken the lead at Deepdale through Tim Ream within 15 minutes – but failed to build on their lead against Frankie McAvoy's men and ultimately suffered the consequences of that with their late concession.

Considering Preston's current position and the fact they had lost 2-1 against previous Cardiff City in their last home match, this was a game Marco Silva's side would have expected to take all three points from in their quest to secure automatic promotion and a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

However, they were unable to show why the two clubs are currently 16 places and 18 points apart in the Championship table and will have been disappointed in themselves to concede, even with the controversy surrounding the Lilywhites' equaliser.

Going into Friday evening's crunch match against title rival AFC Bournemouth, Sky Sports pundit Prutton has highlighted a key weakness he sees in the west London outfit at the moment, and it's something the Cherries could exploit in their mission to win three points and climb to the top of the table.

The 40-year-old said: "The worrying thing that you see sometimes with Fulham is they can be quite overly-relaxed at the back and I don't think its a conscious thing.

"I just think perhaps subconsciously in games where they feel comfortable, they allow that to slip in.

Going on to elaborate on this problem, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man added: "Mitrovic sometimes looks unplayable, but in games such as Saturday where it almost feels like it's too easy for them at times, that's where they are going to be very vulnerable."

The Verdict:

Prutton does have a point because the Cottagers have dropped points in a couple of games they have dominated this season – and the Preston game shows this issue is still there.

In fairness to McAvoy's side, they showed real promise at the weekend and went close a couple of times through the exciting Emil Riis, but this is a game Silva's side would have been expected to win as mentioned, perhaps losing their concentration for the equaliser because of that.

You could argue they felt too comfortable during their games against Blackpool and Reading earlier in the season, two games they lost despite dominating, though their inability to be clinical against the latter also has to be cited as a reason for their downfall.

It does seem slightly harsh to pick up on the league leaders' defending considering they have only conceded three goals in their last nine league games, but concentration and focus will be key in retaining that type of record.

This will be especially important if main scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic is ruled out for an extended period of time at any point this term, because it may take a while to adjust in the final third if he becomes unavailable.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/david-prutton-reveals-key-concern-about-fulham-ahead-of-afc-bournemouth-match/

[WhiteJC]

Championship Team of the Month for November

WhoScored.com run through their Sky Bet Championship Team of the Month for November with five players from Fulham featuring, two from Hull City and West Brom, and one each from Reading and Derby.

League leaders Fulham are the dominant side in the Championship team of the month with no fewer than five Cottagers players making the cut. Representatives from Hull, West Brom, Derby and Reading also feature as WhoScored.com run through the November best XI.

Goalkeeper: Nathan Baxter (Hull) - 7.59 rating
Only QPR (13) claimed more points than a resurgent Hull (12) in November, while no team conceded fewer goals than the Tigers. Young goalkeeper Baxter was key to their superb form, making more saves (19) than any other shotstopper, while no player kept more clean sheets than the 23-year-old (three).

Right-back: Kenny Tete (Fulham) - 7.60 rating
League leaders Fulham are the dominant side in the Championship team of the month with Tete the first of five players to make the cut. Injuries have forced the Dutchman to watch on as the Cottagers soared to the summit of England's second tier, but he impressed across his three outings in the last month. Tete's first assist of the season came in November, that coming against Barnsley, to contribute towards his inclusion.

Centre-back: Michael Hector (Fulham) - 7.46 rating
Hector has made just three league starts this season, but all three of those came in November as Fulham conceded just one goal in his trio of outings. The 29-year-old was solid at the back when called upon, chipping in with six clearances, six interceptions and five tackles. Despite featuring in just three of five matches, Hector managed the fourth most accurate passes (283) to add weight to his selection.

Centre-back: Kyle Bartley (West Brom) - 7.39 rating
West Brom's season may have taken a downturn in recent weeks, but a consistent has been Bartley's performances at the heart of the defence. No team conceded fewer goals than the Baggies (two) in November, with Bartley's aerial dominance key as he finished the month fourth for aerial duels won (27). The 30-year-old also provided his first assist of the season in November.

Left-back: Conor Townsend (West Brom) - 7.35 rating
Rounding off the defence is Townsend. The Baggies left-back won his first WhoScored.com man of the match award of the season in November, that coming in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, and he was unfortunate not to add to his two assists for the season having made the fifth most key passes (12) in the Championship over the course of the month. 12 tackles and interceptions combined capped a solid November.

Right midfield: Harry Wilson (Fulham) - 7.90 rating
Wilson was one of just six players to win multiple WhoScored.com man of the match awards in November, picking up the accolade in wins over Blackburn and Barnsley. The Welshman has a direct hand in four goals in total over the course of the month, netting three times, and is the third Fulham player in this team.

Central midfield: Danny Drinkwater (Reading) - 7.61 rating
Drinkwater scored his first goal and provided his first assist of the season in November, both of which came in Saturday's entertaining 3-2 win at Swansea. Drinkwater also made more tackles and interceptions per game (seven) than any other Championship player.

Central midfield: George Honeyman (Hull) - 7.52 rating
Only Jed Wallace and John Swift (both 17) made more key passes than Honeyman (13) in the Championship in November with the 27-year-old the second Hull player to make the cut. Honeyman has directly contributed to four goals in the 2021/22 season, all of which came in November, while he won more WhoScored.com man of the match awards (three) than any other player.

Left midfield: Neeskens Kebano (Fulham) - 7.92 rating
With a rating of 7.92, Fulham winger Kebano is the WhoScored.com Championship player of the month. Kebano had a direct hand in five goals in November, scoring three times, while only Bournemouth's Jaidon Anthony and Peterborough's Siriki Dembele (both six) created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities than the 29-year-old (four) to help nail down the left wing spot in the side.

Striker: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) - 7.91 rating
Fulham goal machine Mitrovic rounds off the Cottagers quintet. The Serb only netted three goals in November and has now scored 21 times in England's second tier this term to help fire Fulham to top spot. Those three goals came from 10 shots on target, that more than any other player, as Mitrovic again excelled.

Striker: Tom Lawrence (Derby) - 7.51 rating
Joining Mitrovic on the frontline is Derby star Lawrence. Like the Fulham hitman, Lawrence netted three times in November, including a match-winning brace against title chasing Bournemouth. The 27-year-old was a nightmare to stop when he gained a head of steam, as only Peterborough's Dembele (22) and Djed Spence (15) completed more dribbles than the Derby forward (14) as he yielded a WhoScored.com rating of 7.51.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/12482619/championship-team-of-the-month-for-november

[WhiteJC]

'Don't think there's any chance' – Aleksander Mitrovic's future at Fulham amid Villarreal 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...

Fulham are going to face a crucial January transfer window where the focus has to be on keeping hold of their most important players as they target automatic promotion.

Aleksander Mitrovic certainly fits that category with the forward having been enjoying an exceptional campaign where he is on track to beat the division's goal-scoring record. That comes with him having fired home 21 goals in his 19 league appearances so far.

According to recent reports from Spain, Mitrovic is attracting the attention of La Liga outfit Villarreal ahead of the winter window. It is believed that they could even come in with a €16million offer to tempt Fulham into parting ways with their talisman in the winter window.

So, with Villarreal keen on Mitrovic, we asked some of our FLW writers whether they feel Fulham would actually sanction a departure for the Serbian forward.

Ben Wignall

Despite Villarreal still being in European competition this season, I see it as very unlikely that they'll be able to get Mitrovic away from Fulham this season.

The main reason is that the Cottagers will not want to let their star asset go – especially for the €16 million potential fee that has been reported as that is a pittance.

There's a myth that Mitrovic cannot do it in the Premier League which has to be addressed – he scored 11 times for Fulham in the 2018-19 season so he can definitely do it and he should be back there with the London outfit in 2022-23.

His form this season which currently reads as 21 goals in 19 matches is quite simply staggering and it's no surprise that clubs who are in European competition are circling.

But he just signed a long-term deal back in August to remain at Craven Cottage so he must be content right now with playing in the Championship – that's why I can't see it happening and it would take a silly offer for the Khan family to even consider it.

Billy Mulley

Aleksandar Mitrovic is a vitally important player for Fulham, and whilst he deserves to be playing at the highest level, the Cottagers are likely to give him that.

The West London club have bridged an eight-point gap from QPR in third and it will be no surprise to see Fulham continue their upward trajectory and Winn the division by a fair few points.

Villarreal would be an interesting destination for the Serbian striker, but Fulham are in no need to raise funds and for me, they are likely to sanction his departure.

Mitrovic is likely to get more of a crack at Premier League football under Marco Silva than he did last year, and he could be a crucial player in what would be a test to stay up.

Mitrovic is too good of a player to be playing in the Championship, but if he is to stick with Fulham, then he is likely to secure top-tier football for next season, whilst remaining a talismanic and undroppable figure at Craven Cottage.

Chris Thorpe

There's more chance of me moving to Villarreal to be honest! I don't think there's any chance that Fulham would consider it.

He is their talisman and the main reason why they are where they are in the league table.

Selling him would be like shooting themselves in the foot, it wouldn't make much sense at all considering how long he has on his contract.

It would take a ludicrous amount of money to even make them even take notice.

Without Mitrovic Fulham wouldn't be as feared as they are by other teams in the Championship.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/dont-think-theres-any-chance-aleksander-mitrovics-future-at-fulham-amid-villarreal-interest-the-verdict/

[WhiteJC]

Report: UCL club increasing interest in Fulham star as alternative to £68m Tottenham target

Juventus are scouting Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as a transfer alternative to reported Tottenham Hotspur target Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina, as per Calciomercato.

The Bianconeri are intensifying their interest in Mitrovic, with scouts of the Serie A giants tracking the Serbian. Juventus want to hand head coach Massimiliano Allegri a new option in the winter market and feel the Cottagers' marksman could represent a safe bet.

Mitrovic has enjoyed a prolific season under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage with 21 goals in 19 games so far. He has also laid on five assists to help Fulham top the Championship.

Incredibly, the 27-year-old has only failed to influence the scoring during a second-tier game four times this season. His combined goal involvements total 26, nine more than anyone else.

Fulham would no doubt be loath to lose Mitrovic as Silva strives to secure their return to the Premier League. He is also under contract until 2026 after penning an extension in August.

But Juventus see Mitrovic as a potential Plan-B for January in case Vlahovic doesn't move to Turin. Fiorentina's Serbian sensation has a wealth of rival suitors after scoring 13 goals in 15 games this season. Last term the 21-year-old netted 21 in 40.

Fulham could deny or gift Tottenham a Vlahovic boost as Juventus eye Mitrovic

Tottenham are among those keen on Vlahovic, who Gazzetta dello Sport notes Juventus will bid €50m (£42.5m) for in January. But Corriere dello Sport cites Spurs as the front-runners, while Gianluca Di Marzio believes Fiorentina want €80m (£68m) to sell.

The difference between Juventus' bid and Fiorentina's valuation of Vlahovic, then, may see Mitrovic favoured. The Bianconeri can also offer the Cottagers hitman an instant step up from Championship football to the Champions League.

Yet Fulham's reluctance to sell could see Allegri's search continue and deny London rivals Tottenham a possible boost in their Vlahovic transfer chase by taking away a rival bidder.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/30/report-ucl-club-increasing-interest-in-fulham-star-as-alternative-to-68m-tottenham-target/

[WhiteJC]

Bournemouth vs Fulham, Solanke vs Mitrovic - debating the two best strikers in the Championship

Jacob Tanswell and Scott Trotter discuss who is the best striker in the league - Dominic Solanke or Aleksandar Mitrovic


The pair are two of the top three Championship scorers this season (Image: (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images))

Jacob Tanswell with Scott Trotter, former Fulham correspondent for football.london.

There are many subplots and key storylines to Friday's match between Fulham and Bournemouth. First versus second, Scott Parker's probable acrimonious return and the contest of, arguably, the Championship's two best strikers.

Aleksandar Mitrovic tops the goalscoring charts and is currently on course to break all sorts of records. With 21 goals to his name, the Serbian is the runaway leader. Dominic Solanke, however, is a vastly different striker, yet as equally as important to his side. His 15 goals are worth 41% of Bournemouth's overall total this season and without him, well, their comfortable position in the automatic promotion places may look different.

It is a debate that has created ongoing talking points and sparked debates. So, without further ado, let us have another one.

Quite simply, is Aleksandar Mitrovic the best striker in the Championship?
Scott Trotter: It's hard to argue with the numbers. Quite frankly in his time with Fulham, if he's in the Championship, he's scoring the most goals. He's thrived in the division under three different managers and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Jacob Tanswell: It is hard to disagree with you, Scott. In terms of goals, a striker's most obvious currency, the answer would be a resounding yes. But at the back of my mind, I wonder if Parker deep down, would prefer a forward like Solanke instead. Mitrovic is an excellent finisher and extremely imposing figure, but in relation to a player who can perform all aspects of their role - remember, Parker and Mitrovic fell out at Fulham - Solanke is perhaps the better suited.

It is tough to call, but I would lean just about, towards Mitrovic. But ask me again in a year and the answer will probably be different.

What makes Mitrovic so effective?
JT: From an outside perspective, it is the unerring hunger to keep scoring. There is no game he takes off or becomes lackadaisical inside the box. He forever has his hands up, expecting a cross and if the delivery doesn't come or up to the required standard, he sure lets you know about it.

ST: Perhaps, the simplicity of his play. He will take lots of shots, take them early and very good at finding the net. He has the strength to hold the ball and fashion himself with space, is more than happy to challenge in the air and the threat of his physicality rewards him with more space than most strikers are afforded.


Mitrovic's goalscoring figures have been other worldly this season (Image: (Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))

At his best, his passion and commitment to everything he does lifts the crowd and players and supporters feed off it, too. A positive atmosphere when expectations are high cannot be understated.

What gives him the edge over Dominic Solanke?
ST: The volume of goals at the moment. Whether that rate is sustainable with the 27-year-old outperforming xG is uncertain, but 15.58 goals isn't a return to be sniffed at either. His abilities bring a lot for the team too, with his six assists so far this season acting as a differentiator between the forwards.

Mitrovic has the fortune to be backed up by the likes of Harry Wilson too. The former Liverpool youngster provides so much threat and ability, he's made a difference to how cutting the Cottagers can be.

JT: You're right about assists, with Solanke only registering one so far. But, perhaps in contradiction, I'd state a case for the former Chelsea and Liverpool forward being the better link player. Under Parker, he's evolved into a false 9 at times, often dropping deeper than Philip Billing to pick up possession. It is very rare Solanke stands in the box for more than a matter of moments.

His pressing from the front has been key in the side proving the best at it in the league and whenever Bournemouth are under the pump, he continually proves able to run the channels and do so effectively. Goals and assists give Mitrovic the edge, but the finer details of each forward's skillset are up for debate.


Dominic Solanke celebrates after scoring Bournemouth's second goal against Derby (Image: (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images))

Do you feel Mitrovic can again make the step up to the Premier League?
JT: It is a weird one, isn't it. Every time he is up there, I always assume he'll make the step up easily. But it seems to me that he tends to go missing for large chunks of the season and his importance in the team quickly diminishes. The contrast in standing between Mitrovic in the Championship and Mitrovic in the Premier League is vast.

Premier League defences are also better equipped at dealing with the physical side of the game and regularly see similar strikers of the same ilk. So purely on evidence alone, you'd have to be doubtful.

ST: This is a really difficult question and his outing last season under Scott Parker was among the more bizarre relationships, as the Cottagers were relegated.

There was the suggestion that Mitrovic didn't have the mobility to succeed and that is why Fulham often opted for a false forward to lead the line, as his fitness was questioned.

The Serbian is a forward who can bully opposition and thrives when being presented with the ball in good positions. Fulham struggled to do that with and without him in 2020/21, and the transition from being a team that dominates, to one that is required to be opportunistic, will always be difficult for a striker of Mitrovic's ilk.

It does make you wonder if he could thrive in a higher quality team in the Premier League rather than as a relegation battler.



https://www.dorset.live/sport/football/football-news/bournemouth-vs-fulham-solanke-vs-6283020

[bog]

I think that pop video is the best one I've ever seen.... :022: 049:gif

[Dodgin]

Thst was a first, never ever seen or heard an Ace of Base tune

[mrmicawbers]

Report says we're dodgy at the back after only letting 2 goals in 10 games or so, quoting the Preston game.No mentions mentions  of sickness in the camp and that the goal should have been disallowed.Utter rubbish,who are thes people?

[filham]

Just a minor correction about our home grown hero Sean Davis. I am not sure it is right to say he was a product of our Academy as he pre dated the formation by MAF of our expensive formal Academy. Sean came through a very good  youth scheme that we operated for many years pre MAF.
The Academy has yet to produce a player to serve us so well as Sean did.

[Fernhurst]

After winning "The Johnny Haynes trophy" this week, perhaps Fabio will follow in Sean's footsteps and remain with us for a significant period?

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[filham]

After winning "The Johnny Haynes trophy" this week, perhaps Fabio will follow in Sean's footsteps and remain with us for a significant period?

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That would be better than any news coming out of the transfer window in January.