Sunday Fulham Stuff - 05/12/21...

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Results

Saturday
Coventry	1-2	West Brom
Barnsley	1-1	Huddersfield
Blackburn	1-0	Preston NE
Blackpool	0-3	Luton
Bristol City	1-0	Derby
Cardiff	2-3	Sheff Utd
M'borough	1-0	Swansea
Millwall	3-1	Birmingham City
Forest	2-0	P'borough
Reading	1-1	Hull

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Cairney calls on Fulham 'to keep going'

Tom Cairney was encouraged by the way Fulham battled back to claim a point against Bournemouth last night and urged his team-mates to not let their levels drop as the Whites head into the Christmas period.

The Fulham captain came off the bench to add creativity to the home midfielder and produced a peach of cross to provide the equaliser for Tosin Adarabioyo with just six minutes left. He felt Marco Silva's men deserved a half time lead having watched an absorbing contest from the sidelines initially. Cairney told FFCTV last night:

"I think it was a proper game of football. Atmosphere, intensity, chances, tackles – everything you want in an entertaining game. Had a bit of drama, opportunities missed, goals we should have scored. It was entertaining for fans. I feel like when you were playing in a top of table clash, you need to score when you were on top. We needed to score first half, we deserved to score. They cleared it, last ditch tackles and we were so unfortunate to go in 0-0."

The midfielder acknowledged the quality of the training ground that led to Dominic Solanke's opener seconds after the interval.

"It was quite surreal actually. On one hand, you've got to give a bit of credit to Bournemouth because it was a great move and a great pass. From our point of view, it's a little bit sloppy, it's sleepy, not seeing the run. You have to give a bit of credit to them for the goal."

Cairney was pleased to tilt the contest back towards Fulham with a high-energy cameo after replacing Jean-Michael Seri with twenty minutes to go and most of the league leaders chances came through the movement and vision of their number ten.

"I came on, 1-0 down, you come on the pitch you feel like you need to make an impact and make something something happen. They were getting deeper, just tried to get around the box, hopefully get a shot off and get a goal. I was hoping Kebano was going to score when I put him in, that would have been nice, but it was great for Tosin to get his first goal. The ball worked to the edge of the box on the right hand side, when you see Mitro and Tosin in the box you just need to feel it in there. It was a good ball and a great header.

He praised Fulham's fans for creating such a red hot atmosphere and another memorable moment at the Hammersmith End.

"Oh, it was brilliant. The atmosphere was the best it has been this season by far – and that's without a stand. Imagine if it was full? It would have been an absolute joke. It is an amazing feeling, kicking to that end. It feels like they are sucking the ball into the goal when it is like that. It was a good moment."

Cairney felt Fulham could have nicked it in the closing stages, but he believes there were plenty of positives to take from a dominant display.

"I feel like if the game went on five minutes longer we could have scored another. They were getting deeper and deeper and we were piling the pressure on. I think overall you've got to be happy with the performance, the intensity and possession we had. Obviously, it's three draws in a row, which obviously we don't want, but you're top of the league, you can't be too greedy. Nothing's won and lost in December. We keep going."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/cairney-calls-on-fulham-to-keep-going/

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Fulham U23s beat Wolves for eighth straight win

Fulham's under 23s showed great character to come from behind and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to extend their winning run to eight league games in a gripping contest at Motspur Park on Friday night.

Steve Wigley's side, which saw Steven Sessegnon line up at left back and promising teenage midfielder Luke Harris start again in the engine room, begin brightly with Adrion Pazajiti having an early sighter scrambled away by the Wolves defence but the visitors went ahead after ten minutes. A terrific move culminated in a fine cross from Dexter Lembikisa finding Harvey Griffiths, who curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

Fulham were briefly perturbed by going a goal down, but Matt Dibley-Dias fashioned a good chance ten minutes later. The classy midfielder's clipped ball over the top released Terry Ablade but Louie Moulden smothered the striker's attempted dink over the goalkeeper. Sessegnon then let fly from long range but the Wolves stopper easily fielded that effort as well.

The hosts were back on level terms just before the half hour mark. A patient Fulham move involved both full backs with Sessegnon finding Marlon Fossey and the American teed up Sonny Hilton, who fired in his fifth goal of the season. The winger made the goal that put Fulham in front just before the break when his corner came off a Wolves defender and fell nicely for Harris to head home at the back post.

Fulham went in search of a third and Moulden denied Ablade with a stunning save from the forward's fierce volley, but was beaten from another set piece. Hilton again supplied the delivery with Dibley-Dias adding a flick on at the near post before an unmarked Charlie Robinson nodded in at the far post to give the Whites a commanding cushion at the interval.

The young Whites nearly extended their advantage early in the second half but Ablade was denied the chance of finishing Ollie O'Neill's excellent cross by a terrific piece of defending by Ollie TIpton. The visitors came close to getting right back into the contest when Damien Las was forced into a smart save from Griffiths' header and Wolves did make a game of it with ten minutes left when Lee Harkin prodded over the line from Harry Birtwhistle's cross.

Fulham nearly restored their two-goal lead immediately but the lively Ablade saw his header tipped over by Moulden. Wolves then almost equalised with a cleverly-worked free-kick but Las showed his agility to keep out Owen Hesketh's effort. The home side made sure of all three points two minutes from time when Sessegnon cut in from the left flank and fired in a fourth off his stronger right foot.

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): Las; Fossey, S. Sessegnon, C. Robinson, Odutayo; Pajaziti (Bowie 83), Dibley-Dias; Hilton, O'Neill, Harris; Ablade. Subs (not used): McNally, Araujo, Tiehi.

BOOKED: O'Neill, Odutayo.

GOALS: Hilton (29), Harris (38), C. Robinson (43), S. Sessegnon (88).

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS UNDER 23s (5-4-1): Moulden; Scott (Fraser 69), Lembikisa, Tipton, Estrada, Richards; Griffiths (Hubner 78), Jordao (Hodnett 32), Birtwistle, Hesketh; Harkin. Subs (not used): Bugarin, Roberts.

GOALS: Griffiths (10), Harkin (79).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/fulham-u23s-beat-wolves-for-eighth-straight-win/

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Tosin Adarabioyo reacts to landmark Fulham breakthrough

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo has taken to his personal Instagram account to celebrate him scoring his first goal for the club to help them secure a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth.

Marco Silva's side went into their Friday night clash with the Cherries aiming to pick up a win that would have taken them four points clear of Bournemouth in the race for automatic promotion. While it was also a chance form them to secure a victory against former boss Scott Parker, who left Craven Cottage for the Cherries in the summer.

Despite dominating in the game for large periods and racking up over 20 attempts on goal, Fulham looked like they would fall to a fourth defeat in the Championship this season with Bournemouth 1-0 ahead with just six minutes remaining at Craven Cottage.

However, second-half substitute Tom Cairney picked out an excellent delivery for Adarabioyo to head home an equalising goal that Fulham's pressure had merited with six minutes of normal time remaining. That was the defender's first goal for the club following his arrival from Manchester City in October 2020.

The draw with Bournemouth keeps Fulham top of the Championship table by a point and also means that they extended their unbeaten run in the league to ten matches. Adarabioyo's effort against the Cherries could well be looked back on at the end of the campaign as a crucial moment for Silva's side.

Following the win against Bournemouth, Adarabioyo took to his personal Instagram account to celebrate his involvement in their equalising goal.

The verdict

Adarabioyo has been a very strong performer for Fulham this season with some of his defensive performances, so it was brilliant for him to get some acclaim for making an impact at the other end of the field with a well-taken header against Bournemouth on Friday night.

Aleksander Mitrovic has been scoring goals for fun for Fulham this season in the Championship, but the Serbian forward has not scored a goal more important than the one that Adarabioyo managed against Bournemouth. That header could be worth a lot to Silva's side come the end of the campaign as it keeps them top of the table.

It has always looked like Adarabioyo has the potential to be more of a threat from set-pieces for Fulham and he did score three times during his loan spell with Blackburn Rovers in the 2019/20 season. Therefore, it was good to finally see him make his mark in the final third for Silva's side and he could get a few more before the season finishes.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/tosin-adarabioyo-reacts-to-landmark-fulham-breakthrough/

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Scott Parker gave Fulham deception and diamonds but are Bournemouth caught between styles?

The dramatic change in shape provided Bournemouth with a goal - but they failed to capitalise afterwards and ultimately, old temptations couldn't be resisted

Scott Parker's granular-like attention to detail can be best summed up by a relatively innocuous incident afterwards.

The Cherries head coach took his seat in front of half a dozen or so reporters, and awaited the opening question. As the first journalist began to ask for his thoughts on how the match went, Parker, usually so acutely aware of every word spoken, had something catch his eye.

He had noticed a small bottle of hand sanitiser tipped over on the table. Almost inherently, Parker proceeded to stand the plastic gel up and recenter it in the middle of two water bottles, all perfectly aligned.

It was a trivial moment but also, perhaps, somewhat telling. One of Parker's key principles in football and feasibly a general inclination in life outside of it, is obtaining a structure. Buzz words such as "control" and "dominance" are often used, but usually with vague, macro level description.

On Friday night, Parker returned to his old club and desperately sought structure. Bournemouth had been teetering in recent weeks and despite 68 minutes of control against Coventry, any semblance of the word dissipated in the minutes after.

Bournemouth travelled to west London ready to carry out a plan which had been first talked about in the aftermath of Coventry put into action later on in the week. A diamond shape would be trialled in their biggest match of the season, set out to prove the centrepiece of Parker's 48-long hour plan of deception.

Initially, Parker told those in attendance at Wednesday's pre match press conference it was 'doubtful' any player whom been previously injured would be fit for the match with Fulham. While it proved effective in wrong footing some, his general coyness suggested he did have something planned up his sleeve, not only in personnel but in system.

As luck would have it, four of the seven injured players returned to the matchday squad. Whether it conveyed undertones of wanting to spite former employees or simply curveballs tactics, it is believed there was a real sense of purpose to Parker and his coaching staff's preparations during the week.

Ostensibly, the return of Adam Smith and Emiliano Marcondes to the starting lineup signalled a return to his favoured 4-3-3. Instead, after dispersing out of the team huddle moments before kick off, Dominic Solanke ventured out to the left, Jaidon Anthony to the right, and Ryan Christie through the middle.

The Scots presence was particularly discernible. In what had become the first pawn used by Parker to outwit Marco Silva, the hatched plan was working well in the early stages.

Christie was dropping into a false 9 role to give Bournemouth a four versus three overload in midfield. This enabled the side to play out through the thirds better than they'd previously done, due to the increased options in central areas.


Parker set up the side in a diamond shape, with Christie at the tip of it (Image: (Photo: Tactical Board Online))

Having also struggled to play out from goal kicks, which has only exacerbated the loss of control in recent matches, walk throughs and staged patterns of play were trialled in training. The squad worked meticulously on playing out from the back and instances of when Mark Travers had the ball.

Different routines were devised, with players taking up varying positions. Gary Cahill would take one of the early goal kicks and passed it to Travers. Next, Lewis Cook would drop into the six yard area to receive from Travers.

Billing, meanwhile, would remain high and mostly, out of the picture. Parker recognised that in order to play out from the back, he needed his best press resisters (Cook, Christie and Marcondes) to pick up the ball from defence and keep Billing, who can sometimes be susceptible to losing possession when he has his back to goal, higher up. The Dane would only tend to get involved upon the second and third phases of play.

Out of possession, the diamond squeezed the hosts into positions conducive to them. Solanke and Anthony's body shapes were forcing the Fulham's two central defenders, Tosin and Tim Ream, to funnel passes into midfield, where, due to Bournemouth's overload, they would attempt to set traps and regain possession.

Consequently, they looked dangerous upon transition and fast breaks, with two notable chances - from Adam Smith and Solanke - being carved out through this scenario.


Out of possession, Anthony and Solanke would immediately press inwards, attempting to funnel Fulham's play into central areas (Image: (Photo: Tactical Board Online))

The split striker system would prove decisive in the goal seven seconds into the second half. The routine from kick off, where Solanke starts his run from the left and darts inside Tosin and Dennis Odoi, would never have transpired had the forward been in a traditional number 9 role. In fact, Solanke probably would have been the one restarting the match. It was a pattern of play, as Parker revealed afterwards, especially crafted Thursday on the training ground.

The issue that Bournemouth seem to currently have, however, is when these detailed, erudite plans are counteracted by sides, they get caught in a period of stasis. 21 games into the season the increasing wealth of analytics means opposition teams either have requisite evidence on Parker and his set up or are able to quickly adapt to premeditated plans in-game.

It was evident that once Fulham understood a diamond's kryptonite is a switch of play, the notion of structure and control became sporadic. With Anthony's positioning starting high but gradually turning deeper as the game wore on, it left Jack Stacey isolated with very little protection.

By half time, Fulham had completed 93 more passes and were indeed better at provoking turnovers. In the 45 minutes, they had made 11 interceptions. Bournemouth, in comparison, had made just five.


Harrison Reed congratulates team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo after he scores to make it 1-1 (Image: (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))

While Parker's side were never able to sustain attacks in the opening period, they did possess a tangible threat. But when Fulham began to reduce the frequency of their attacks, they became stuck between styles. Do they press high and tussle for possession or hold shape and use the split strikers as the counter attacking threat?

The quandary was only heightened after Solanke gave them the lead.

When Bournemouth needed a spell of possession or find a pressure valve to halt momentum, they remained unsure whether to stick or twist. Despite riding their luck, largely owing to Steve Cook's unerring approach to defending and a cluster of Travers' saves, the eventual equaliser was symptomatic of the sides current struggles.

In a game which consisted of unrelenting turnovers, the only real time a Fulham player had space in the attacking third was when Tom Cairney was able to pick his head up and deliver a cross for Tosin to head in.

Though Parker cannot point to a lack of bravery this time, the overarching feeling of his team giving Fulham too much ground in the later stages was apparent. Old temptations were too difficult to resist as another cross to the back post demonstrated another instance where Bournemouth were pinned back and eventually overwhelmed by the pressure they were put under.


Bournemouth's heatmap above, taken after 90 minutes against Fulham, shows how much time the ball or the action was spent near the penalty area. Note the reddish grading around Mark Travers' goal (Image: (Photo: WhoScored))

Ultimately, it will be a match which provided a positive outcome in the grand scheme of things. A point is a solid return for their preconceived plans, but given they recorded their lowest pass success rate of the campaign (72 percent) and their lowest share amount of possession in any of the 21 Championship fixtures (36 percent), there is a cause of concern.

They had the structure, but now Bournemouth need the definition. Knowing how to approach and play within different circumstances in the next challenge facing Scott Parker and his players.



https://www.dorset.live/sport/football/football-news/scott-parker-gave-fulham-deception-6303100

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Bournemouth survive late Fulham onslaught in top-of-the-table thriller under the lights
Solanke's 16th of the Championship season cancelled out by Tosin's late header, as visitors suffer another torrid second half


Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo celebrates scoring the equaliser on Friday night as Bournemouth's Jaidon Anthony looks on

Fulham 1-1 AFC Bournemouth

THERE was nothing to separate the Championship's top two sides on Friday's scoresheet, as Tosin Adarabioyo's late goal cancelled out Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke's sixteenth of the season in a thriller under the lights.

But for not the first time in the past several weeks, the Cherries were left clinging on for dear life as Fulham roared into action to claim a late draw — and in the end were unlucky not to take all three points.

In a match with more sub-plots than your favourite soap opera, one immediately made itself known when ex-Fulham manager Parker walked out of the tunnel to a small ripple of boos. He later expressed his "immense pride" at having managed the club for two "unbelievable" seasons, and while it was the second of those that lingered in some fans' memory, they hardly succeeded in making him a pantomime villain — even if the Christmas garlands were already up on the historic Craven Cottage.

More importantly – on the pitch – the match-up between the league's top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic and now joint-second Solanke had likewise received no shortage of pre-match attention.

While the latter got his goal, the former walked away empty-handed for no lack of trying — hitting seven of the hosts' 24 shots in an attacking performance matched only by his indefatigable colleague, Neeskens Kebano, who was also unlucky not to score after showing such dominance down the left wing.

A Mitrovic effort late in the first half produced possibly the moment of the match, however — albeit due to the manner in which it was stopped. On a clear, driving run into the box from the left, cutting inside Gary Cahill for a gilt-edged chance on goal, the Serb unleashed a close-range strike that Cherries captain Steve Cook threw himself in front of with reckless abandon, before lunging in the opposite direction – still on the floor – to snuff out the follow-up from Fabio Carvalho, with what appeared to be his face.

The visitors celebrated it like a goal as they went into the half unscathed. And those on an extensive snack run could be forgiven for missing their opener just as the game resumed; the second half was about four touches old when Philip Billing launched a brilliant long ball to put through Solanke – still in kung-fu head bandage after a first-half knock – who let it settle for just a moment before striking into Marek Rodak's top-right corner.

What appeared to be an opportunistic move was in fact a training-ground special, Bournemouth manager Scott Parker later revealed. "We did a lot of work on Thursday and a lot of studying previous to that," he said. "This game was always going to be decided on fine margins, so we worked hard on that — worked out where they were weak in those situations."

But the 46th-minute showstopper came almost too early for the Cherries as they sat back, dabbled in premature time-wasting, and ultimately allowed Fulham to dominate the second period.

A total of nine yellow cards were dished out — six belonging to Bournemouth, with many coming as the visitors wasted time (goalkeeper Mark Travers) or took one for the team to stop the break (right-back Adam Smith) as Fulham really began to grow into the game from the 60-minute mark.

Bournemouth's dark arts only served to heighten the fervour inside the sold-out stadium, and Parker later admitted his side's desperation to hang on as Fulham seized the initiative: Mitrovic hammering headers narrowly left, over the bar, and within Travers's grasp, while Kebano saw two major chances saved and missed into the side netting as the clock ticked down.

When it came, they had more than earned their equaliser. Having watched Billing's ball fly over his head for the goal at the start of the half, Tosin was able to put his own to good use towards the end of it as he glanced home a redemptive header on 84 minutes.

Coming after one of Fulham's eleven corners, it was the culmination of a sustained period of pressure for the hosts, and assisted by second-half substitute Tom Cairney with just one of a string of excellent crosses.

Bournemouth had late opportunities to break as Fulham pushed for a winner, but they kept plenty of men behind the ball in the closing stages to ensure a draw — which Parker asserted was a point gained, not two points lost.

While it condemned Fulham to a third successive stalemate, it kept them a point clear of their key rival as they enter a run of games against opposition in the lower reaches of the table.

For their part, Bournemouth will be seeking improved performances – particularly in closing the game out – as they face a challenging run with games against Middlesborough, Blackburn and QPR in the Christmas period.



https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/bournemouth-survive-late-fulham-onslaught-top-table-thriller-under-lights

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Saints sink Fulham U18s

A first half brace from Dominic Ballard secured a routine win for high-flying Southampton over Fulham's under 18s at the Staplewood Training Centre this afternoon.

Fulham struggled to get their fluent passing game going for much of the afternoon and it was the home side who had the better of the early chances. Saints went close through Tyler Dibling after the winger had drifted in from the right flank and Ballard blasted an effort straight at Xavier Benjamin before Alex Borto produced a brilliant reaction stop to keep out Kamari Doyle's fine volley.

The hosts were now putting the Fulham goal under significant pressure and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 26 minutes. Ballard had the simplest of tasks to slot home after Cameron Bragg's venomous drive from distance had rattled the crossbar and the young Whites were indebted to some calm defending from Benjamin, which prevented Doyle from doubling the Southampton advantage.

But Ali Melloul's men did go further behind just before the interval. Dibling darted past Luc de Fougerolles and squared for Ballard, who stroked home his seventh goal of the season. Southampton were well on top and might have added to their advantage after the break but Luke Pearce shot straight at Borto from a promising position, whilst Doyle drove a free-kick just wide of the target.

Fulham struggled for openings in the final third during a second half which the home side controlled, despite Melloul sending on Lemar Gordon, Stefan Parkes and Terrell Works as substitutes. He will hope that the young Whites can pick themselves up ahead of Friday's third round FA Youth Cup tie at Everton.

SOUTHAMPTON UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Beach; Payne, Carson, Pambou, Squires (Wright 67); Hewlett, Bragg (Lett 89); Dibling, Doyle, Pearce; Ballard (Ross-Lang 76). Subs (not used): Adli, Morgan.

BOOKED: Payne.

GOALS: Ballard (26, 41).

FULHAM (4-3-3): Borto; Tanton, de Fougerolles (Parkes 55), Benjamin, Araujo; Okkas, Parker (Works 77), Lanquedoc; Wildbore, Olakigbe (Gordon 60), Sanderson. Subs (not used): Allen, Gofford.

BOOKED: Tanton.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/saints-sink-fulham-u18s/

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Ben Brereton Diaz threatening to overtake Aleksandar Mitrovic as scoring run goes on

5 talking points from a busy day of EFL action as Ben Brereton Diaz continued his lethal form with another goal for Blackburn and Sheffield United continued their revival under Paul Heckingbottom

It's been another busy day of action for EFL sides.

The Championship saw ten matches take place on Saturday. With the top two of Fulham and Bournemouth playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Friday night it allowed the chasing pack to try and close the gap.

West Bromwich Albion stayed third with a lunchtime win at fellow play-off contenders Coventry City. Elsewhere, Blackburn kept up the heat with a third straight win at home to Preston North End.

At the bottom, Wayne Rooney's Derby County suffered another defeat - 1-0 at Bristol City - to leave them 20 points adrift of safety.

Here, we look at five talking points to emerge from the action.

BBD strikes again
Ben Brereton Diaz can do no wrong.

He's not only becoming a cult hero for Chile but he's enjoying the best form of his life for Blackburn Rovers.

Saturday saw him notch his 17th goal of the season to seal a third straight win for Rovers in a Lancashire derby at home to Preston North End. He's now just four behind top scorer, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The 22-year-old nodded in just after half-time to send Tony Mowbray's men up to fourth in the Championship.

The game at Ewood Park was played in tough conditions on a drenched surface but Brereton Diaz showed his golden touch to seal a fourth win in five for a resurgent Blackburn.

Earlier this week Brereton Diaz visited a Rovers fan who had an image of the striker tattooed on his stomach. The fan, Lewis Hamill, has since gone viral and appeared on Chilean TV to discuss his inking!

Blades turning a corner under Hecky
Sheffield United surprised many when they axed Slavisa Jokanovic last month. The Serbian was only appointed in the summer but the decision to replace him with Paul Heckingbottom is certainly paying off at present.

The former under-23s coach made it two wins from two with an entertaining 3-2 victory at Cardiff on Saturday.

United were trailing 1-0 but the red card handed out to Sean Morrison was a game-changer and the Blades hit three inside 15 minutes to flip the game on its head.

Cardiff rallied with a late goal but couldn't prevent Heckingbottom from maintaining his 100 per cent record. His side are now just four points shy of the play-offs.

Family affair at Doncaster
Doncaster's dismissal of Richie Wellens earlier this week failed to have the desired effect as they were dumped out of the FA Cup at home to Mansfield today.

In the home dugout was caretaker Gary McSheffrey. His assistant was fellow academy coach Frank Sinclair, the ex-Chelsea defender.

And for the final ten minutes of today's cup tie it was a family affair with Sinclair's son Tyrese coming on as a substitute for the Stags.

And the midfielder helped his side over the line in a memorable 3-2 win for Nigel Clough's team - they can now start dreaming of a meeting with Sinclair senior's old side or another Premier League giant in round three.

Hull revival continues
Grant McCann looked under huge pressure just a month ago.

The Hull City boss had lost five games on the spin and there were plenty of calls from Tigers fans that a change was necessary.

Fast forward four weeks and City are a team transformed.

They had won four on the bounce heading into today's visit to Reading and although they couldn't extend that to five, a 1-1 draw will maintain the feelgood factor among the Tigers.

A stunning overhead kick from Reading's Tom Holmes put the hosts ahead but Mallik Wilks fired back for City. They are now six points clear of the bottom three and with a takeover pending, there is reason for Hull fans to be optimistic about 2022.

Fleetwood's failings
Fleetwood are lower than a snake's belly right now.

They are without a manager and Saturday's 5-1 tonking away at Accrington Stanley extended their winless run to 11 games in all competitions.

They were not helped in their quest today when Daniel Batty was shown a red card midway through the first half.

But their fans will not be happy with how the side wilted from that point on.

They are now four points adrift of safety and in need of a serious revival.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brereton-diaz-mitrovic-scoring-run-25617923

[WhiteJC]

Jack and Loz at the Cottage - Blog 202
Date: 3rd December 2021

Opposition: Bournemouth

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: Tosin Adarabioyo

Weather: not as cold as expected

Atmosphere: from the raucous chorus of We've Got Seri as we queued at the turnstiles to that glorious, jubilant, taunting rendition of We Are Top of the League at the final whistle, the Cottage was rocking on its foundations

MOTM (football): we don't often give this award to a sub, but what a sub he was - as attacks faltered and the football fell flat Tom Cairney came off the bench and changed the game. Creator, provider, dictator, inspirer, Tom snatched control of the midfield, changed up the rhythm of play and concentrated the potency of the attack. When he swung in the decisive cross, Bournemouth had 11 men behind the ball. None of them could get to it.

MOTM (non-football): of the two men at Craven Cottage on Friday night who have played for and managed Fulham, one is held in very high esteem. A class act on and off the pitch, it was fantastic to see Ray Lewington receive his Forever Fulham award

Dinner: Ruan Thai

Pub: the Blue Boat

A top of the table clash is always going to be a tense encounter, especially in a league which has turned into a two horse race. But Friday's match against Bournemouth wasn't just the biggest game in the Championship so far this season, it was a battle of wills, a contest of styles, a shuddering reminder of a past best forgotten and an affirmation that Fulham are now on the right path. In short, it was a tale of two managers.

Scott Parker managed Fulham for just over two years in which we encountered the best of times once and the worst of times twice. The first relegation was not, of course, his fault and credit is due to him for stopping the rot and rebuilding the team and leading it all the way to Wembley. While his dress sense was self-consciously dapper, his footballing style was insecurely conservative. Parker didn't like to lose, he didn't like to take risks and he didn't want to accept any blame.

So whilst that victory at Wembley was his finest hour for Fulham, it shouldn't really have happened. The squad at his disposal (most of whom now sit at the top of a league in either England or Italy) was too good to finish 4th. Even in the final match of the season against Wigan, when we had literally nothing to lose and automatic promotion to gain, Parker played for a draw.

The events of last season are still too raw to dwell on. Our mantra was Stick With Scott until the end was near. He did his best but it wasn't good enough. We know he had to play the lazy and under skilled RLC because he was contractually obliged to, but continually talking up the "player's" non-existent attributes made Parker look deluded and naive. We sense Mitro can be hard to manage but to drop your best striker for Cav who wasn't a striker at all was criminal mismanagement.

We had some good results last season and, at times played decent football - the dominant, marauding performance at Leicester will live long in Fulham fans' memories as will the extraordinary victory at Liverpool. But just as safety was within our grasp, Parker let it slip away. During the run-in when Fulham should have been scrapping for every available point, our manager took his eye off the ball. And now we know why. He was watching Bournemouth instead. He had his head turned by a small, seaside town where people go to retire. And that says it all.

In terms of entertainment the match didn't disappoint and in terms of quality football the first half didn't disappoint either. Not for the first time recently, Fulham did everything but score, with the Bournemouth keeper and defenders playing out of their skins to keep the ball out of their goal. Our attacks were fast paced, organised and constant. Bournemouth's defence was good but increasingly desperate and progressively dirty. Once again, Scott Parker was playing for the draw and he would use any means to achieve it.

The second half was a different matter. Four of Fulham's back five made only one mistake on Friday but it was big one. Scott Parker knows Fulham always start the second half slowly and he took full advantage. Snoozing on the job is never good (unless you're employed to test beds) and the defence deserve to be strongly reprimanded and no doubt have been. But it was a flukey goal and Bournemouth's last meaningful attack of the game. They immediate sat back and Parkered the bus and weren't going to score again. They couldn't because if one man accidentally passed forward, there was nowhere else for the ball to go but back again.

The question was, what could Fulham do? After a short period of disarray we were pleased to see them regroup and, roared on by the hyped-up crowd, only stop attacking when scythed down by the opposition or unjustly pulled up by the ref.

Part of the reason Tom is our Man of the Match is because no one else stood out in an all around excellent team performance. Kebano was as lively as ever but was careless not to score, Mitro was heavily marked but perhaps overly generous to his teammates. Seri was controlled, Fab energetic and Harrison Reed unstoppable. Bobby provided a booster jab of momentum just when we needed it, Denis was involved in nearly every move of the game at both ends of the pitch and, as usual, acquitted himself well. And Tosin scored.

The goal was a fantastic one, bettered only by the explosion of jubilation in the stands and Tosin's teasing celebration on the pitch. Unlike Parker and his team who had been keen not to score another goal, the instant the ball hit the back of the net Mitro scooped it out and ran to the centre circle and Marco Silva's wild gesticulations became even more frantic as he urged his players to go for the win. In the end it wasn't to be and we are all ruing the wasted shances but lessons will be learnt and mistakes not repeated.

This is the obvious point to make some obvious comparisons. Do Scott Parker's Bournemouth play a lot like Scott Parker's Fulham? Yes, in that they play out from the back to the point of madness. Those suicidal sweeping passes across goal were so familiar that we felt tense even watching the opposition make them. Yes, in that the formation is primarily defensive with reliance placed on a strong front man to score. Yes, in that the team will sit on a lead and retreat further and further down the pitch and withdraw further and further into themselves to try to preserve it.

But where Bournemouth are most assuredly not like any Fulham team we have ever watched is that they fouled at will, cheated as much as they could and started time wasting in the 16th minute when their striker decided to roll around in the goal mouth. Things went rapidly downhill thereafter with the referee letting them get away with everything up to and including robbery with menaces and GBH. We understand that the officials were wary of their decisions influencing such an important game but their lack of decisions was actually decisive. Suffice to say, whilst the penalty shout wasn't clear cut, a lot more fouls were deserving of yellow cards and someone should have ended up with a red.

The match was a reminder of a period we want to forget and a vision of what might have been. Parker might have stayed and we might have still been watching that dull, monotonous, negative football, without Mitro or Seri and probably a few more. Ultimately, Scott Parker was a hard working player, a good captain and an average manager. He gave us another win at Wembley and, other than the unprofessional manner of his departure, we bear him no ill will.

But he is in the past. Marco Silva is our future and is different in every way. He was disappointed with the draw. He wants to win all the time. He's rejuvenated some disillusioned players, got Mitro playing the best football of his career and made us excited about every game. Despite the words of his song, we're not sure he's a genius. But if he carries on like he's started at Fulham, we might just be persuaded.

Random musings:-

- the rainbow corner flags and Tim's rainbow armband looked fantastic

- two centre backs scoring is consecutive games has got to be very unusual

- Boa's fury at a free kick not being given was both amusing and justified....

-......but it was Marco who ended up with a yellow card

- we hate to say it but Joe Bryan was the weak link. We don't know if Antonee is much better but this was a wayward, haphazard performance from our old favourite

- Parker forgot that time wasting at Craven Cottage always comes back to bite you

- and how refreshing is it to have a manager who thinks more about football than his wardrobe?

- we weren't convinced by Parker's fake bonhomie with the players at the end of the match and doubt they were either

Parker will be pleased that he got the draw he came for. But it is Fulham who proved the point. We have better players who play football as it should be played - with attacking intent, entertaining skill and smiles on their faces.

There is still a very long way to go this season but when the second best team in the league can only scrabble away with a point after riding their luck and bending the rules we have every reason to feel confident. Our momentum is slowing and the pack is closing but we're still on top. The league is ours to lose.



https://werdsmith.com/p/jFbNcU8sK3xQGV

[Fulham 442]

Jack and Loz at the Cottage - Blog 202
Date: 3rd December 2021

Opposition: Bournemouth

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: Tosin Adarabioyo

Weather: not as cold as expected

Atmosphere: from the raucous chorus of We've Got Seri as we queued at the turnstiles to that glorious, jubilant, taunting rendition of We Are Top of the League at the final whistle, the Cottage was rocking on its foundations

MOTM (football): we don't often give this award to a sub, but what a sub he was - as attacks faltered and the football fell flat Tom Cairney came off the bench and changed the game. Creator, provider, dictator, inspirer, Tom snatched control of the midfield, changed up the rhythm of play and concentrated the potency of the attack. When he swung in the decisive cross, Bournemouth had 11 men behind the ball. None of them could get to it.

MOTM (non-football): of the two men at Craven Cottage on Friday night who have played for and managed Fulham, one is held in very high esteem. A class act on and off the pitch, it was fantastic to see Ray Lewington receive his Forever Fulham award

Dinner: Ruan Thai

Pub: the Blue Boat

A top of the table clash is always going to be a tense encounter, especially in a league which has turned into a two horse race. But Friday's match against Bournemouth wasn't just the biggest game in the Championship so far this season, it was a battle of wills, a contest of styles, a shuddering reminder of a past best forgotten and an affirmation that Fulham are now on the right path. In short, it was a tale of two managers.

Scott Parker managed Fulham for just over two years in which we encountered the best of times once and the worst of times twice. The first relegation was not, of course, his fault and credit is due to him for stopping the rot and rebuilding the team and leading it all the way to Wembley. While his dress sense was self-consciously dapper, his footballing style was insecurely conservative. Parker didn't like to lose, he didn't like to take risks and he didn't want to accept any blame.

So whilst that victory at Wembley was his finest hour for Fulham, it shouldn't really have happened. The squad at his disposal (most of whom now sit at the top of a league in either England or Italy) was too good to finish 4th. Even in the final match of the season against Wigan, when we had literally nothing to lose and automatic promotion to gain, Parker played for a draw.

The events of last season are still too raw to dwell on. Our mantra was Stick With Scott until the end was near. He did his best but it wasn't good enough. We know he had to play the lazy and under skilled RLC because he was contractually obliged to, but continually talking up the "player's" non-existent attributes made Parker look deluded and naive. We sense Mitro can be hard to manage but to drop your best striker for Cav who wasn't a striker at all was criminal mismanagement.

We had some good results last season and, at times played decent football - the dominant, marauding performance at Leicester will live long in Fulham fans' memories as will the extraordinary victory at Liverpool. But just as safety was within our grasp, Parker let it slip away. During the run-in when Fulham should have been scrapping for every available point, our manager took his eye off the ball. And now we know why. He was watching Bournemouth instead. He had his head turned by a small, seaside town where people go to retire. And that says it all.

In terms of entertainment the match didn't disappoint and in terms of quality football the first half didn't disappoint either. Not for the first time recently, Fulham did everything but score, with the Bournemouth keeper and defenders playing out of their skins to keep the ball out of their goal. Our attacks were fast paced, organised and constant. Bournemouth's defence was good but increasingly desperate and progressively dirty. Once again, Scott Parker was playing for the draw and he would use any means to achieve it.

The second half was a different matter. Four of Fulham's back five made only one mistake on Friday but it was big one. Scott Parker knows Fulham always start the second half slowly and he took full advantage. Snoozing on the job is never good (unless you're employed to test beds) and the defence deserve to be strongly reprimanded and no doubt have been. But it was a flukey goal and Bournemouth's last meaningful attack of the game. They immediate sat back and Parkered the bus and weren't going to score again. They couldn't because if one man accidentally passed forward, there was nowhere else for the ball to go but back again.

The question was, what could Fulham do? After a short period of disarray we were pleased to see them regroup and, roared on by the hyped-up crowd, only stop attacking when scythed down by the opposition or unjustly pulled up by the ref.

Part of the reason Tom is our Man of the Match is because no one else stood out in an all around excellent team performance. Kebano was as lively as ever but was careless not to score, Mitro was heavily marked but perhaps overly generous to his teammates. Seri was controlled, Fab energetic and Harrison Reed unstoppable. Bobby provided a booster jab of momentum just when we needed it, Denis was involved in nearly every move of the game at both ends of the pitch and, as usual, acquitted himself well. And Tosin scored.

The goal was a fantastic one, bettered only by the explosion of jubilation in the stands and Tosin's teasing celebration on the pitch. Unlike Parker and his team who had been keen not to score another goal, the instant the ball hit the back of the net Mitro scooped it out and ran to the centre circle and Marco Silva's wild gesticulations became even more frantic as he urged his players to go for the win. In the end it wasn't to be and we are all ruing the wasted shances but lessons will be learnt and mistakes not repeated.

This is the obvious point to make some obvious comparisons. Do Scott Parker's Bournemouth play a lot like Scott Parker's Fulham? Yes, in that they play out from the back to the point of madness. Those suicidal sweeping passes across goal were so familiar that we felt tense even watching the opposition make them. Yes, in that the formation is primarily defensive with reliance placed on a strong front man to score. Yes, in that the team will sit on a lead and retreat further and further down the pitch and withdraw further and further into themselves to try to preserve it.

But where Bournemouth are most assuredly not like any Fulham team we have ever watched is that they fouled at will, cheated as much as they could and started time wasting in the 16th minute when their striker decided to roll around in the goal mouth. Things went rapidly downhill thereafter with the referee letting them get away with everything up to and including robbery with menaces and GBH. We understand that the officials were wary of their decisions influencing such an important game but their lack of decisions was actually decisive. Suffice to say, whilst the penalty shout wasn't clear cut, a lot more fouls were deserving of yellow cards and someone should have ended up with a red.

The match was a reminder of a period we want to forget and a vision of what might have been. Parker might have stayed and we might have still been watching that dull, monotonous, negative football, without Mitro or Seri and probably a few more. Ultimately, Scott Parker was a hard working player, a good captain and an average manager. He gave us another win at Wembley and, other than the unprofessional manner of his departure, we bear him no ill will.

But he is in the past. Marco Silva is our future and is different in every way. He was disappointed with the draw. He wants to win all the time. He's rejuvenated some disillusioned players, got Mitro playing the best football of his career and made us excited about every game. Despite the words of his song, we're not sure he's a genius. But if he carries on like he's started at Fulham, we might just be persuaded.

Random musings:-

- the rainbow corner flags and Tim's rainbow armband looked fantastic

- two centre backs scoring is consecutive games has got to be very unusual

- Boa's fury at a free kick not being given was both amusing and justified....

-......but it was Marco who ended up with a yellow card

- we hate to say it but Joe Bryan was the weak link. We don't know if Antonee is much better but this was a wayward, haphazard performance from our old favourite

- Parker forgot that time wasting at Craven Cottage always comes back to bite you

- and how refreshing is it to have a manager who thinks more about football than his wardrobe?

- we weren't convinced by Parker's fake bonhomie with the players at the end of the match and doubt they were either

Parker will be pleased that he got the draw he came for. But it is Fulham who proved the point. We have better players who play football as it should be played - with attacking intent, entertaining skill and smiles on their faces.

There is still a very long way to go this season but when the second best team in the league can only scrabble away with a point after riding their luck and bending the rules we have every reason to feel confident. Our momentum is slowing and the pack is closing but we're still on top. The league is ours to lose.



https://werdsmith.com/p/jFbNcU8sK3xQGV

This sums it up really well for me...

[JimOG]

Jack and Loz at the Cottage - Blog 202
Date: 3rd December 2021

Opposition: Bournemouth

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: Tosin Adarabioyo

Weather: not as cold as expected

Atmosphere: from the raucous chorus of We've Got Seri as we queued at the turnstiles to that glorious, jubilant, taunting rendition of We Are Top of the League at the final whistle, the Cottage was rocking on its foundations

MOTM (football): we don't often give this award to a sub, but what a sub he was - as attacks faltered and the football fell flat Tom Cairney came off the bench and changed the game. Creator, provider, dictator, inspirer, Tom snatched control of the midfield, changed up the rhythm of play and concentrated the potency of the attack. When he swung in the decisive cross, Bournemouth had 11 men behind the ball. None of them could get to it.

MOTM (non-football): of the two men at Craven Cottage on Friday night who have played for and managed Fulham, one is held in very high esteem. A class act on and off the pitch, it was fantastic to see Ray Lewington receive his Forever Fulham award

Dinner: Ruan Thai

Pub: the Blue Boat

A top of the table clash is always going to be a tense encounter, especially in a league which has turned into a two horse race. But Friday's match against Bournemouth wasn't just the biggest game in the Championship so far this season, it was a battle of wills, a contest of styles, a shuddering reminder of a past best forgotten and an affirmation that Fulham are now on the right path. In short, it was a tale of two managers.

Scott Parker managed Fulham for just over two years in which we encountered the best of times once and the worst of times twice. The first relegation was not, of course, his fault and credit is due to him for stopping the rot and rebuilding the team and leading it all the way to Wembley. While his dress sense was self-consciously dapper, his footballing style was insecurely conservative. Parker didn't like to lose, he didn't like to take risks and he didn't want to accept any blame.

So whilst that victory at Wembley was his finest hour for Fulham, it shouldn't really have happened. The squad at his disposal (most of whom now sit at the top of a league in either England or Italy) was too good to finish 4th. Even in the final match of the season against Wigan, when we had literally nothing to lose and automatic promotion to gain, Parker played for a draw.

The events of last season are still too raw to dwell on. Our mantra was Stick With Scott until the end was near. He did his best but it wasn't good enough. We know he had to play the lazy and under skilled RLC because he was contractually obliged to, but continually talking up the "player's" non-existent attributes made Parker look deluded and naive. We sense Mitro can be hard to manage but to drop your best striker for Cav who wasn't a striker at all was criminal mismanagement.

We had some good results last season and, at times played decent football - the dominant, marauding performance at Leicester will live long in Fulham fans' memories as will the extraordinary victory at Liverpool. But just as safety was within our grasp, Parker let it slip away. During the run-in when Fulham should have been scrapping for every available point, our manager took his eye off the ball. And now we know why. He was watching Bournemouth instead. He had his head turned by a small, seaside town where people go to retire. And that says it all.

In terms of entertainment the match didn't disappoint and in terms of quality football the first half didn't disappoint either. Not for the first time recently, Fulham did everything but score, with the Bournemouth keeper and defenders playing out of their skins to keep the ball out of their goal. Our attacks were fast paced, organised and constant. Bournemouth's defence was good but increasingly desperate and progressively dirty. Once again, Scott Parker was playing for the draw and he would use any means to achieve it.

The second half was a different matter. Four of Fulham's back five made only one mistake on Friday but it was big one. Scott Parker knows Fulham always start the second half slowly and he took full advantage. Snoozing on the job is never good (unless you're employed to test beds) and the defence deserve to be strongly reprimanded and no doubt have been. But it was a flukey goal and Bournemouth's last meaningful attack of the game. They immediate sat back and Parkered the bus and weren't going to score again. They couldn't because if one man accidentally passed forward, there was nowhere else for the ball to go but back again.

The question was, what could Fulham do? After a short period of disarray we were pleased to see them regroup and, roared on by the hyped-up crowd, only stop attacking when scythed down by the opposition or unjustly pulled up by the ref.

Part of the reason Tom is our Man of the Match is because no one else stood out in an all around excellent team performance. Kebano was as lively as ever but was careless not to score, Mitro was heavily marked but perhaps overly generous to his teammates. Seri was controlled, Fab energetic and Harrison Reed unstoppable. Bobby provided a booster jab of momentum just when we needed it, Denis was involved in nearly every move of the game at both ends of the pitch and, as usual, acquitted himself well. And Tosin scored.

The goal was a fantastic one, bettered only by the explosion of jubilation in the stands and Tosin's teasing celebration on the pitch. Unlike Parker and his team who had been keen not to score another goal, the instant the ball hit the back of the net Mitro scooped it out and ran to the centre circle and Marco Silva's wild gesticulations became even more frantic as he urged his players to go for the win. In the end it wasn't to be and we are all ruing the wasted shances but lessons will be learnt and mistakes not repeated.

This is the obvious point to make some obvious comparisons. Do Scott Parker's Bournemouth play a lot like Scott Parker's Fulham? Yes, in that they play out from the back to the point of madness. Those suicidal sweeping passes across goal were so familiar that we felt tense even watching the opposition make them. Yes, in that the formation is primarily defensive with reliance placed on a strong front man to score. Yes, in that the team will sit on a lead and retreat further and further down the pitch and withdraw further and further into themselves to try to preserve it.

But where Bournemouth are most assuredly not like any Fulham team we have ever watched is that they fouled at will, cheated as much as they could and started time wasting in the 16th minute when their striker decided to roll around in the goal mouth. Things went rapidly downhill thereafter with the referee letting them get away with everything up to and including robbery with menaces and GBH. We understand that the officials were wary of their decisions influencing such an important game but their lack of decisions was actually decisive. Suffice to say, whilst the penalty shout wasn't clear cut, a lot more fouls were deserving of yellow cards and someone should have ended up with a red.

The match was a reminder of a period we want to forget and a vision of what might have been. Parker might have stayed and we might have still been watching that dull, monotonous, negative football, without Mitro or Seri and probably a few more. Ultimately, Scott Parker was a hard working player, a good captain and an average manager. He gave us another win at Wembley and, other than the unprofessional manner of his departure, we bear him no ill will.

But he is in the past. Marco Silva is our future and is different in every way. He was disappointed with the draw. He wants to win all the time. He's rejuvenated some disillusioned players, got Mitro playing the best football of his career and made us excited about every game. Despite the words of his song, we're not sure he's a genius. But if he carries on like he's started at Fulham, we might just be persuaded.

Random musings:-

- the rainbow corner flags and Tim's rainbow armband looked fantastic

- two centre backs scoring is consecutive games has got to be very unusual

- Boa's fury at a free kick not being given was both amusing and justified....

-......but it was Marco who ended up with a yellow card

- we hate to say it but Joe Bryan was the weak link. We don't know if Antonee is much better but this was a wayward, haphazard performance from our old favourite

- Parker forgot that time wasting at Craven Cottage always comes back to bite you

- and how refreshing is it to have a manager who thinks more about football than his wardrobe?

- we weren't convinced by Parker's fake bonhomie with the players at the end of the match and doubt they were either

Parker will be pleased that he got the draw he came for. But it is Fulham who proved the point. We have better players who play football as it should be played - with attacking intent, entertaining skill and smiles on their faces.

There is still a very long way to go this season but when the second best team in the league can only scrabble away with a point after riding their luck and bending the rules we have every reason to feel confident. Our momentum is slowing and the pack is closing but we're still on top. The league is ours to lose.



https://werdsmith.com/p/jFbNcU8sK3xQGV

This sums it up really well for me...

Agreed - a real top quality piece of writing