Thursday Fulham Stuff - 23/12/21...

[WhiteJC]

'Purple patch' – What's going wrong for Bournemouth and Fulham at the moment? 72talk

This article is part of The72's content series 72talk, in which our writers have their say on all the latest and most pressing topics in the English Football League.

Fulham and Bournemouth currently occupy 1st and 2nd respectively. It's been that way for most of the campaign so far but recently, the two sides have endured tough patches of form.

Why is that?

Our writers have their say...
Luke Phelps (@lukephelps72)

"Both clubs went into this season under new management – Bournemouth under the former Fulham boss Scott Parker and Fulham under Marco Silva.

"Both clubs were in need of a makeover and they got that. But that new manager upturn has seemingly started to wear off as we approaching Christmas, and times are starting to get hard.

"Injuries have started to creep into either side. It's also important to remember that both clubs have a lot of international players in their ranks, so their players are naturally going to start to tire towards the midway point of the campaign.

"It's still early doors, but with teams like Blackburn Rovers rapidly closing the gap, Bournemouth and Fulham really need to rediscover some that early season form to keep their place in the automatic promotion spots."
Harry Mail (@harry_mail1)

"Every team goes through a bit of a purple patch in a season and it is tough to maintain a top level of performance over 46 games, especially when the fixtures are coming thick and fast in winter.

"Bournemouth and Fulham are both going through a slump but have the quality in their squads to get out of it. They can easily delve into the January transfer window too to give them a bit of a boost.

"Fulham were unlucky the other night against Sheffield United and missed a few chances which on another day they might have scored.

"Their fans and Bournemouth's shouldn't be too worried and should be grateful for the start they have had to the season. You can't complain about being in the automatic promotion places at Christmas and one win for each side will spark another run of form."
James Cheap (@JamesC_7)

"Bournemouth and Fulham are now winless in at least five games each and see teams below them now one win away from taking their spots in the automatic promotion places.

"For Fulham, their defence has been the issue in recent weeks. Too many teams have been going up against the Cottagers and scoring one of their very few chances in the game to snatch a point of even three. The league's top scorer Alexandar Mitrovic also hasn't been so prolific of late with only one goal in his last four matches.

"As for the Cherries, before the international break Bournemouth maybe rode their momentum a little with games being so frequently. Scott Parker's side maybe suffered from the two week break which ended with a shock 3-2 loss to Derby County which then sparked this poor run."



https://the72.co.uk/258698/purple-patch-whats-going-wrong-for-bournemouth-and-fulham-at-the-moment-72talk/

[WhiteJC]

Cyrus Christie makes admission on Fulham future

Fulham full-back Cyrus Christie has admitted he thought he would get a chance to shine at Craven Cottage under Marco Silva, but now concedes his career at Craven Cottage is over as he spoke in an interview with the Evening Standard.

The 29-year-old has been frozen out in the English capital for some time, being shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest last term where he made an impressive 44 league appearances, playing a big part alongside the likes of Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna as the East Midlands outfit conceded just 45 goals in 46 games.

With the Cottagers returning to the Championship after being relegated and a new man in Silva at the helm, he would have been hoping to fiercely compete with Kenny Tete for a starting spot for the promotion favourites.

Unfortunately for the Republic of Ireland international, Denis Odoi was the man to come in when Tete was ruled out of action after sustaining a hamstring injury in August, leaving the 29-year-old with just one Carabao Cup appearance to his name this term.

With this and his contract at Craven Cottage set to expire next summer, a departure either in January or at the end of the campaign looks inevitable and this is something he has accepted as he spoke to the Evening Standard on various topics including his Fulham future.

The Irishman said: "Mentally, I can't let it break me down.

"I always thought I'd be given an opportunity but I've found it hard to come by.

"The boys are doing fantastic this season.

"The manager's made a decision – and that's football. You learn that. You have to get on with it.

"I have to look for a new chapter, get back to playing football and be the best version of myself as a footballer. I have lost that at Fulham."

The Verdict:

For his footballing career, he needs to leave the Cottagers and play more regularly despite the prospect of winning promotion with his current side at the end of the campaign, because it's clear Silva doesn't have him in his plans.

Christie is level-headed enough to know that's the case – but it remains to be seen whether a club would be interested in taking the right-back off their hands permanently considering he only has a matter of months left on his contract.

A loan deal until the end of the season before his release looks to be the most likely option at this stage, with Forest potentially in the market for right-back/right wing-back if Djed Spence is recalled to Middlesbrough in January.

Whether Steve Cooper moves for the Republic of Ireland international could also depend on whether Mohamed Drager can step up and Jordi Osei-Tutu's fitness – but that's one move that could happen and there are plenty of others that could potentially be in the pipeline.

Another second-tier side in Reading are likely to have both of their starting full-backs in Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom missing during next month with both set to be involved for Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, so that's another potential destination for him.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/cyrus-christie-makes-admission-on-fulham-future/

[WhiteJC]

Win A Signed Home Shirt!

Fulham fans can win a 2021/22 Home Shirt signed by our First Team squad this festive period!

To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is fill out the below form before 11.59pm on Monday 3rd January 2022.

Good luck!

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/22/win-a-signed-shirt/

[WhiteJC]

RG2 preparing for Fulham, our final fixture of 2021

We will have to wait to host the Hatters following the postponement of our pre-Christmas celebration game last weekend. But behind the scenes we are making preparations for a final home fixture in 2021 against Fulham on Wednesday 29th December, kick-off 8pm.

It is not easy putting a game on...even in normal circumstances. Stewarding, policing, catering, ticketing, pitch preparations, matchday operations, media accreditation...and now COVID pass verification! However, we are working hard during this holiday period to ensure your matchday experience is as good as it possibly can be ahead of this curtain-call clash against the Cottagers.

Importantly, we would like to inform all supporters that tickets for our meeting with Fulham will go off sale at 5pm on Christmas Eve and there will be no 'on the day' sales for this fixture. This is to ensure we can prepare to staff the stadium according to the crowd levels we know to expect and to then deliver a positive matchday experience to home and away fans during what undoubtedly remain challenging circumstances.

So, if you've not got your ticket for this game, make sure you buy it now in plenty of time before we go off sale on Christmas Eve!

In line with the latest government legislation, for this fixture all supporters aged 18 or over should be prepared to present either proof of full vaccination via a valid COVID pass or proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entry to the stadium.

Supporters can obtain an NHS Covid Pass digitally through the NHS App, online via NHS.UK, or as a letter sent in the post. Proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken within the previous 48 hours can be given via a text message or an email from the NHS or a screenshot of the recorded result which has been uploaded to the NHS website.

How can you help?

You can ensure you have your Covid Pass or proof of lateral flow test ready to be checked before you get to the turnstiles. It is recommended to take a screenshot of your pass before attending, as obtaining the pass using internet signal can often be problematic at large spectator venues.

And we would like to remind both home and away supporters to attend this match with suitable photo ID which may need to be checked to help us verify fans' vaccination cards or other forms of COVID eligibility.

Naturally, with COVID status required to enter the stadium bowl, entry to the stadium will take a little longer than normal so we would like to encourage as many supporters to head to their seats in plenty of time ahead of kick-off at 8pm.

And we would also politely ask for your patience and cooperation on the day of the game. These are new measures being asked of staff who will be doing their very best to deliver a positive matchday experience for all.

Finally, we ask you to be loud, be proud, to back the boys and make some noise!



https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/22/rg2-preparing-for-fulham--our-final-fixture-of-2021/

[WhiteJC]

Reading FC and Fulham supporters issued warning for clubs' final fixture of 2021

Reading FC are due to host Championship league leaders Fulham at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday night (December 29) with kick-off at 8pm in the final game of 2021

Reading FC fans have been warned about the ticket cut-off for next week's game at home to Fulham.

Royals host the Whites at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday, December 29 in an 8pm kick-off.

It is the final game for both sides in 2021 and one which Veljko Paunovic's side will be keen to play having had their matches against Luton Town and Peterborough United postponed.

Reading supporters have until 5pm on Friday afternoon (Christmas Eve) to buy a ticket for the match.

The Royals say the early deadline is 'to ensure we can prepare to staff the stadium according to the crowd levels we know to expect and to then deliver a positive matchday experience to home and away fans during what undoubtedly remain challenging circumstances.'

Meanwhile, both sets of supporters are being reminded about the latest government legislation surrounding attending fixtures.

All supporters aged 18 or over should be prepared to present either proof of full vaccination via a valid COVID pass or proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entry to the stadium for the game.

Supporters can obtain an NHS covid pass digitally through the NHS App, online via NHS.UK, or as a letter sent in the post.

Proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken within the previous 48 hours can be given via a text message or an email from the NHS or a screenshot of the recorded result which has been uploaded to the NHS website.

Both Reading and Fulham fans should bring suitable photo ID for the game to help stewards verify fans' vaccination cards or other forms of COVID eligibility.



https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-fulham-supporters-issued-22547958

[WhiteJC]

Birmingham City Tickets

Join us for Boxing Day action at Craven Cottage, with tickets for Fulham v Birmingham City on sale now!

Marco Silva's side welcome the Blues to Craven Cottage for some festive football on Sunday 26th December, kick-off 3pm.

Tickets for the match are on General Sale, with prices as follows:

STAND    BLOCK    ADULT    18-21 & 65+    JUNIOR
Hammersmith    All Blocks    £35    £30    £15
Putney Home    P1, P2, P3, P4    £35    £30    £15
Johnny Haynes    E, EL, F, FL    £50    £45    £25
Johnny Haynes    Remaining Blocks    £40    £35    £15

£2 discount on above prices for Restricted view seats. Adult members receive a £5 discount on the above ticket prices for an Adult Ticket, £2 discount for a 65+/ 18-21 Ticket, applies to 1 ticket per member per game. All adult and concession ticket prices increase by £5 on matchday.
HOW TO BUY

Fans can now secure their seats online at tickets.fulhamfc.com or by calling the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810. For Ticket Office Christmas opening hours, click here.

BUY TICKETS

Please note, supporters will need to ensure they are logged in to their OneFulham Account and have linked their ticketing account in order to purchase online. For more information on the OneFulham Account, please click here.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/22/birmingham-city-tickets/

[filham]

The opening article suggests our defence has been the problem in recent matches, come on we have played 5, conceded 4, scored 3, had we simply scored the expected 2 goals per game over the last 5 games we would have an extra 11 points now and be running away with the Championship.

[WhiteJC]

Our Boxing Day fixture has been postponed due to a number of positive Covid cases in the Birmingham City squad.#FFC

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 23, 2021