Friday Fulham Stuff - 10/12/21...

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Silva nominated for Championship manager of the month

Marco Silva has been nominated for the Championship manager of the month award following Fulham's ten match unbeaten run.

The Portuguese head coach led the Whites to eleven points in five games last month, scoring thirteen goals in process, and supplanting Bournemouth at the top of the table. Silva won the Championship award in August and this is his third nomination since succeeding Scott Parker at Craven Cottage in the summer.

The Fulham boss is joined on the shortlist by Hull's Grant McCann, Blackburn supremo Tony Mowbray and QPR head coach Mark Warburton. The winner will be announced tomorrow.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/silva-nominated-for-championship-manager-of-the-month/

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Match Preview | Fulham (H)

The Hatters welcome league leaders Fulham to Kenilworth Road for their final home league game before Christmas.

Nathan Jones' side will be full of confidence after last week's 3-0 win against Blackpool and hope to end a run of two successive home defeats when Fulham come to town.


The opposition:
Fulham are searching for promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking this season and are going the right way about it, leading the way as we near the half-way stage.

Much owed to their attacking threat having scored 50 league goals already this season, 21 of which Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored.


Last time we met:
The two sides contested a thrilling 3-3 draw on Boxing Day 2019. It looked as if Harry Cornick had given the Hatters a vital victory, but for Bobby De Cordova-Reid's 94th minute equaliser.


Follow the action:

    Key match updates via our official Twitter feed
    Audio iFollow passes available

UK-based supporters will NOT be able to watch the match on iFollow as this is a Saturday fixture.

However, fans can tune into Simon Pitts' match commentary via iFollow by purchasing an audio match pass for a single game, a month or for the season. Prices for all three options can be found HERE.


Ref watch
Referee: Thomas Bramall

Assistant Referees: Adrian Waters and Mark Pottage

Fourth Official: David Rock

The man in the middle on Saturday afternoon is Thomas Bramall, who last took charge of the Hatters in March during the 1-0 away win against Preston North End.

He has taken charge of 17 matches in total so far this season, dishing out 55 yellow cards and two reds.




https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/december/fulham-preview/

[WhiteJC]

Marco Up For Manager Of The Month

Marco Silva has received another nomination for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award.

Fulham went through November unbeaten, starting with victories over Blackburn Rovers, Peterborough United and Barnsley - in which we scored a collective 12 goals - before ending the month with draws against Derby County and Preston North End.

Silva finds himself up against Tony Mowbray (Blackburn), Grant McCann (Hull City) and Mark Warburton (Queens Park Rangers), with the winner announced on Friday morning.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/09/marco-up-for-manager-of-the-month/

[WhiteJC]

'It just wasn't meant to be' – Luton Town player opens up about time at Fulham

Luton Town striker Elijah Adebayo spent 12 years with Fulham, joining the Cottagers at under-9 level.

However, the 23-year-old was unable to pave his way into the first-team set up, leaving Craven Cottage without making an appearance at senior level.

Adebayo enjoyed loan spells within the EFL, before signing a permanent deal at Walsall in 2019, with the powerful forward netting 18 times in 65 appearances for the Midlands club.

Luton Town took a gamble on the exciting striker in January of this year, and whilst it appeared that it may take a while for Adebayo to adapt to the rigours of Championship football, he ended that campaign as an integral member of Nathan Jones' side.

The same can be said at the start of this campaign, with the 23-year-old taking it to another level, netting nine times in 19 Championship appearances.

At just 23 years of age, the majority of Adebayo's life has been spent with Fulham, and he opened up to The Athletic about his time with the Whites: "Fulham will always have a place in my heart for what I went through there, many ups and many downs, and I gave everything I could.

It just wasn't meant to be but I'm thankful — I had to go out into the lower leagues and try and impose myself and make a name, a career, for myself."

The verdict

It appears that Adebayo's career has taken a more scenic but turbulent route, but the aim of making the Premier League remains intact.

He has proven himself at senior level at every stage thus far and it will be no surprise to see him improve as the campaign progresses.

At 23 years old, Adebayo has an extremely high ceiling and could go on to achieve lots in his career.

He has all the tools to continue unlocking the Championship and keep progressing Luton in the process.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/it-just-wasnt-meant-to-be-luton-town-player-opens-up-about-time-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Southend United youngsters beaten at Fulham in Premier League Cup

A three-goal blitz in the final six minutes of the match consigned Southend United U23s to a 4-0 defeat against Fulham in the Premier League Cup at Motspur Park.

Kieron Bowie had put the Lilywhites ahead in the 11th minute, but an inspired goalkeeping display by Collin Andeng Ndi kept the young Shrimpers in the game right up until the 84th minute, when late goals by Ollie O'Neill, Steven Sessegnon and Jean-Pierre Tiehi saw Fulham ease away.

Andeng Ndi was one of three professionals named in Danny Heath's starting line-up, with midfielder O'Shane Stewart and left-back Tom Clifford, who was making his return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, the others.

By contrast Fulham named a strong team, which included Alfie Mawson - a veteran of over 250 matches as a professional- and Bowie, who played 39 matches as a teenager for Scottish Professional Football League outfit Raith Rovers.

Andeng Ndi was cautioned in the first minute when he was late to meet Bowie as he raced out of the penalty area to attempt to make a clearance, but the young shotstopper was soon seen making a good save to his left to deny Sessegnon.

Southend were struggling to gain any sort of foothold in the game, and it was no surprise when Fulham's possession finally told in the 11th minute after Marlon Fossey had exchanged passes with Sonny Hilton on the right-hand side.

Fossey squared to Bowie, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the apex of the six-yard box.

O'Neill and Bowie both saw speculative efforts from 25 yards out clear the crossbar either side of Andeng Ndi coming off his line quickly to smother the ball at the feet of Tiehi after Clifford had failed to find Luke Reeve with a square pass across the edge of the penalty area.

More quick-thinking from Andeng Ndi in the 27th minute saw the Blues custodian scoop the ball off the toecaps of Tiehi after he attempted to latch onto Adrion Pajaziti's slide-rule pass, and in the 29th minute he was grateful that Hilton smashed the ball straight into his midriff from Bowie's cut-back.



https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19773386.southend-united-youngsters-beaten-fulham-premier-league-cup/

[WhiteJC]

Preview: Luton Town vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship leaders Fulham will be seeking to end a run of three successive draws with a victory, when they travel to Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.

The last time that these two sides faced each other in the second tier was in 2019-20, their two fixtures produced 11 goals, with a 3-2 win for Fulham at Craven Cottage followed by an entertaining 3-3 draw at Kenilworth Road.

Match preview
Luton Town ended a four-game winless run with an impressive 3-0 victory away against Blackpool last weekend.

Sonny Bradley's header on the stroke of half time put the visitors in front, before second-half strikes from Elijah Adebayo and Jordan Clark sealed all three points for Nathan Jones's men.

Along with Nottingham Forest, the Hatters have now won, drawn and lost seven games each in the Championship this season and are currently sitting 12th in the table, six points behind the playoffs and a comfortable 12 points above the relegation zone.

Luton head into Saturday's clash after losing each of their last two home league games – 1-0 against Stoke City and 2-1 against Cardiff City. The last time that they lost three consecutive matches in the EFL at Kenilworth Road was in April 2016 when they were in League Two.

The Hatters will be in for another challenging contest at Kenilworth Road this weekend, as they have failed to win any of their last five home matches against Fulham across all competitions, conceding at least three goals in each of their last four meetings.

Despite drawing each of their last three league games, Fulham remain at the top of the Championship, as last Friday's opponents Bournemouth have also claimed as many points in the same period.

A 1-1 draw with the Cherries at Craven Cottage followed a stalemate with basement club Derby County and a 1-1 draw away at Preston North End. Just one point still separates the Cottagers from Bournemouth in second, while West Bromwich Albion in third have moved to within seven points of the summit.

While extending their unbeaten league run to 10 matches will have pleased head coach Marco Silva, the Portuguese will feel that his side have not taken the opportunity to move further ahead of the chasing pack.

Nevertheless, Silva will be confident of returning to winning ways on Saturday, as they travel to Luton unbeaten in their last four away games, conceding only once in the process.

The last time that Fulham went on a longer unbeaten league run on the road was in March when they enjoyed a spell of eight games without defeat in the Premier League, including victories on Merseyside against Everton and Liverpool.

Luton Town Championship form:

    W    L    L    D    L    W

Fulham Championship form:

    W    W    W    D    D    D

Team News
Luton midfielder Luke Berry is closing in on a full recovery from a knee injury, but is set to remain sidelined this weekend.

Jones is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, though Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu and Fred Onyedinma will be hoping to force their way into the first XI after starting on the bench against Blackpool.

As for Fulham, Ivan Cavaleiro (groin) and Nathaniel Chalobah (calf) remain sidelined with injuries, while Terence Kongolo is struggling with fitness issues and will be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if he can feature this weekend.

Top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is hoping to avoid a third successive game without a goal, is set to lead the line up front, while Bobby Decordova-Reid will be hoping to return to the first XI at the expense of teenager Fabio Carvalho.

Captain Tom Cairney could be handed just his third start of the campaign in centre-midfield ahead of Harrison Reed, while goalkeeper Marek Rodak is set to start between the sticks once again ahead of Paulo Gazzaniga, who has seemingly lost his place in the starting lineup.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Burke, Naismith, Bradley; Bree, Lansbury, Mpanzu, Bell; Clark, Adebayo, Gomes

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Adarabioyo, Ream, Bryan; Seri, Cairney; Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano; Mitrovic

We say: Luton Town 1-2 Fulham

An entertaining contest with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards at Kenilworth Road, as both sides have consistently shown an attacking threat in the final third throughout this campaign.

The visitors, who will keen to avoid a fourth successive match without a win, will be the favourites this weekend and should have enough quality to edge out the hosts for all three points.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/luton-town/preview/preview-luton-vs-fulham-prediction-team-news-lineups_472375.html?cQx=NN&newsnow

[WhiteJC]

Fulham duo still sidelined for Luton clash, Robinson returns

Fulham will still be without Nathaniel Chalobah and Ivan Cavaleiro for Saturday's trip to Luton, but wing-back Antonee Robinson is available after missing last Friday's draw with Bournemouth due to illness.

The pair haven't featured since the win over QPR in October with Chalobah sidelined with a calf problem and Cavaleiro struggling with a groin injury but coach Marco Silva confirmed the duo will return to full training next week in time for the busy Christmas period.

Robinson felt ill after the 1-1 draw with Preston due to a heavy cold that was not Covid-related, but will take his place in the squad for the clash at Kenilworth Road.

"Ivan has started to be integrated in the squad and Chalobah worked all last week but this week was a little bit sick.

"It was nothing serious. We expect next week both will be in full training.

"Robinson felt unwell earlier in the season after the international break and felt the same the week after Preston, but he is fine to go now."

The mid-table Hatters ended a run of four matches without a win with a good 3-0 victory at Blackpool last Saturday and Silva admits his side can expect a very different challenge to the one posed by fellow high-flyers Bournemouth.

He also believes the benefit of a full, uninterrupted week of training with the vast majority of his squad available will be a huge benefit.

"With all of them available, we are stronger and the competition is different between them," he said.

"I can take the best decisions for each match within our strategy, depending what we want to explore on the opposition's side. It gives me more solutions

"It will be a completely different game to Bournemouth, we have spoken this week about the mindset to the game and the different approach we might need.

"The way they play is very different, but when we have the ball we have to be Fulham Football Club, be organised, take our chances and play the game our way."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-duo-still-sidelined-for-luton-clash-robinson-returns

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Pre-Luton Press Conference

Marco Silva expects Luton Town to try and make things as uncomfortable as possible for Fulham on Saturday.

The Hatters have some physical players in their side – though that's far from the only string to their bow – and Silva is keen to see his players stick to their principles at Kenilworth Road.

"The way they play, they will try to put us in some moments to play the way we don't like to play, but of course when we have the ball we have to be Fulham Football Club," he explained.

"We have to play in our way to create the chances we want to create. If you are strong in one way, you have to take the game from this side, if you can. That will make the difference, if we can play our game, impose our game and make an impact.

"Of course when you don't have the ball and they win the ball, you have to know the way they'll try to surprise us and punish us in some moments.

"We have to be aware of the situation. We are, we have one more [training] session, we have time to talk about them a little bit more with our players, but they already know what we will be up against in the game."

While the Whites have now gone 10 matches without defeat, you have to go back a few fixtures for our last win, and Silva is hoping to find that three-point formula once again at the weekend.

"10 unbeaten games, that number is really good," he stated. "Seven [wins] in a row, and three draws after.

"Three different games and in that moment we had the illness which affected two games – Derby and Preston was a little bit strange. But it is what it is, and it's done, no need to talk more about the situation.

"Of course, our target is to go and get the three points, definitely. Against a tough side, I have to tell you, with a specific type of play that creates problems for their opponent.

"They fight for the first ball, fight for the second. It can be a direct game if they win the second ball.

"It's a game for us to be switched on for every single minute, and after that we have to put quality on our game. Because if not, if we cannot take the game the way we like to play, the game will be like a gamble game, and we don't like to play these type of games.

"We have to deal with it, we have to be Fulham Football Club, even if it's tough, all the situations they create, we have to be ourselves to win the football match, because the three points are there and we have to fight for the three points."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/09/pre-luton-press-conference/

[WhiteJC]

Luton chief happy to have a selection headache over who goes in goal for Fulham visit
Sluga and Shea both fit for weekend encounter

Hatters boss Nathan Jones has welcomed the selection headache he faces over who to choose in goal for Saturday's visit of Fulham.

With Croatian international Simon Sluga now fit again after missing last weekend's trip to Blackpool due to illness, James Shea deputised and produced an excellent display, with some terrific saves to keep the scores goalless in the first period.

In a vote run by the Luton News on Twitter this week, Town fans declared they would like to see Shea remain between the posts for the visit of the Cottagers, as when asked about Sluga's fitness and his decision over who plays, Jones said: "He's very good, back in training Tuesday and today, so no issues.

"It's a good one (choice), because it's all about competition and to promote competition you have to have an even playing field."

Whoever does get the nod, Jones expects them, as he will himself, to relish the challenge of going up against a side who were in the Premier League last term and are red hot favourites to return there this season, following a 10-game unbeaten run which has propelled Marco Silva's side to the top of the Championship.

He added: "As a player, as a manager, a coach, you want to test yourself and that's the great thing about the Championship.

"With the greatest respect in League Two and League One, we had to defend from set-plays and certain amounts of things, maybe an individual and then we concentrated purely on ourselves as we believed we were the best team, squad in both leagues.

"That's not quite the same here, we concentrate on everything we do, but we have to get it right, so when we utilise for example, our pressing, we have to know where we press from, when can we press, who presses, who backs that up.

"So the tactical element is fantastic, one as a player and then two as manager, a coach.

"Our work is relentless in the Championship as we know we have to be right at it.

"But that's why you get challenged, that's why we wanted to get to this level and that's why we don't want to stand still."



https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/luton-chief-happy-to-have-a-selection-headache-over-who-goes-in-goal-for-fulham-visit-3489199

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva issues update on Fulham duo ahead of Luton clash

Fulham manager Marco Silva will not be able to welcome back Nathaniel Chalobah and Ivan Cavaleiro to his squad for the trip to Luton Town this weekend, the Portuguese boss has revealed.

Silva was hoping to get a few more players back into his plans after a run of three straight matches without a win, with all of those being draws against Derby, Preston North End and Bournemouth respectively.

Winger Cavaleiro has been missing since hobbling off against Queens Park Rangers in mid-October, owing to a groin injury that he has yet to fully recover from two months down the line.

Summer signing Chalobah meanwhile is another player whose last appearance came against QPR, having picked up a calf injury since then.

That is an issue that he has since recovered from but a new problem has arisen with the ex-Chelsea man during the week which will mean he misses the trip north to Kenilworth Road, as Silva explained that they will both be back in full training next week.

"Ivan has started to be integrated in the squad and Chalobah worked all last week but this week was a little bit sick," Silva said, per West London Sport.

"It was nothing serious. We expect next week both will be in full training."

The Verdict

Fulham have more than enough depth to cope still without these two players, but it would be nice for Silva to have them in contention for a tough contest.

Kenilworth Road is a hard place for any club to go to – including the league leaders – and with Fulham not winning in three matches there may be a need to freshen things up.

But it's going to come a tad too soon for both Cavaleiro and Chalobah but they will be big additions when they are fit and ready.

Both are at least top Championship players and the Cottagers will be better off when both are available for selection, which could come next weekend.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/marco-silva-issues-update-on-fulham-duo-ahead-of-luton-clash/

[WhiteJC]

Silva expects 'uncomfortable' afternoon at Luton

Marco Silva knows Fulham are in for a tough test at Luton on Saturday, believing that Nathan Jones' men will make life as uncomfortable as possible for the league leaders at Kenilworth Road.

The Fulham boss feels that the Hatters will be full of confidence after a fine win over Blackpool last weekend and will look to disrupt the Whites' patient passing game from the first whistle. He told his pre-match press conference this afternoon:

"The way they play, they will try to put us in some moments to play the way we don't like to play, but of course when we have the ball we have to be Fulham Football Club. We have to play in our way to create the chances we want to create. If you are strong in one way, you have to take the game from this side, if you can. That will make the difference, if we can play our game, impose our game and make an impact.

Of course when you don't have the ball and they win the ball, you have to know the way they'll try to surprise us and punish us in some moments. We have to be aware of the situation. We are, we have one more session, we have time to talk about them a little bit more with our players, but they already know what we will be up against in the game."

Silva is satisfied that his side have gone ten games unbeaten in a league as notoriously unpredictable as the Championship but wants to return to winning ways this weekend.

"Ten unbeaten games, that number is really good. Seven wins in a row – and three draws after. Three different games and in that moment we had the illness which affected two games – Derby and Preston was a little bit strange. But it is what it is, and it's done, no need to talk more about the situation.

Of course, our target is to go and get the three points, definitely. Against a tough side, I have to tell you, with a specific type of play that creates problems for their opponent. They fight for the first ball, fight for the second. It can be a direct game if they win the second ball. It's a game for us to be switched on for every single minute, and after that we have to put quality on our game. Because if not, if we cannot take the game the way we like to play, the game will be like a gamble game, and we don't like to play these type of games."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/silva-expects-uncomfortable-afternoon-at-luton/

[WhiteJC]

Robinson ready for Luton return

Fulham full back Antonee Robinson is set to return to the side for Saturday's trip to Luton Town having recovered from illness.

The American international missed last Friday's draw with Bournemouth due to the after effects of the norovirus bug that had swept Fulham's squad last month, but head coach Marco Silva has confirmed that he will be available for selection at Kenilworth Road this weekend. The fixture will come too soon for Ivan Cavaleiro and Nathaniel Chalobah, who have both been on the sidelines for some time, however.

"Robinson felt unwell earlier in the season after the international break and felt the same the week after Preston, but he is fine to go now. Ivan has started to be integrated in the squad and Chalobah worked all last week but this week was a little bit sick. It was nothing serious. We expect next week both will be in full training."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/robinson-ready-for-luton-return/

[WhiteJC]

Sky Sports pundit issues prediction for Fulham's trip to Luton

After a run of three straight draws in a row, Fulham will be looking to get back to winning ways in what looks a difficult encounter on paper against Luton Town.

Prior to the Cottagers welcoming Derby County to west London over two weeks ago, Fulham had won seven matches on the spin including a 7-0 thumping of Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

The points have been shared though with the Rams, Preston North End and Bournemouth in recent weeks, and the matches don't come any easier for Marco Silva's side as they head to Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters have suffered from consistency issues in recent weeks but they blew Blackpool away at Bloomfield Road last week as they defeated the Seasiders 3-0.

Nathan Jones' side on their day are a match for anyone in the division and Sky Sports presenter and ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton believes that they can get a point against Fulham by predicting a 2-2 scoreline.

"No wins in four for Luton, then they go to Bloomfield Road and cruise to an absolutely brilliant win against Blackpool. It just sums up the nature of this league," Prutton said on his Sky Sports predictions podcast.

"Fulham have drawn three on the bounce, but are still sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Marco Silva will be keen either way for his side to return to winning ways, but it could be a fourth draw on the spin at Kenilworth Road.

The Verdict

With West Brom winning last week, Fulham will want to get back to winning ways as soon as possible but they could have had easier games on paper.

A match against a physical side on a narrow pitch probably won't suit Silva's side, and Luton will be full of confidence after last week's win against Blackpool.

It may also be a slight concern that Aleksandar Mitrovic hasn't scored in his last two outings after a sensational run of form beforehand, so he will be another player who will be looking to make an impact.

Despite being the league leaders though, I don't think Fulham will get a victory here and a draw looks like the most likely outcome.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sky-sports-pundit-issues-prediction-for-fulhams-trip-to-luton/