Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 28/12/21...

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Results

Monday
Derby	1-0	West Brom
QPR	0-1	Bournemouth

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Swansea City v Fulham – game likely to be called off

The Swans are facing the likely possibility of a fourth straight postponement on Monday evening as they Sky TV evening clash against Fulham looks set to become the next game on their schedule to be called off due to the continued spread of Covid across the UK.

With games against QPR and Millwall being called off due to outbreaks within the opposition squad, the midweek home clash with Luton was postponed due to a spread within the Swansea squad and also some injuries within the team as well.   This has led to the likely possibility that the Fulham game will be postponed giving the Swans an additional fixture headache.

Just 9 of a scheduled 31 clashes across the 3 EFL divisions went ahead yesterday although for Wednesday the picture looks stronger with just 5 cancellations to date although there are expected to be several more casualties to that list before today is out.

No games are yet to be called off for the weekend clashes and the 48 hours that both the Swans and Fulham have to wait for their fixture may help the cause.   The recent run of postponements has led to just four championship clubs currently having reached the full 24 games of the planned schedule.

A decision on the Swans game is not expected until Thursday at the earliest but early suggestions are that even if the outbreak is curbed it may not be enough to save the game with first team players.

Fulham are due to face Reading on Wednesday evening

Monday's game at the Swansea.com stadium is one that is due to be played behind closed doors due to government restrictions on crowds at sporting events in Wales and is one of those fixtures under the lights where the crowd could make a difference to the Swans against the leaders.   Does a postponement on this occasion benefit the Swans?



https://planetswans.co.uk/2021/12/27/swansea-city-v-fulham-game-likely-to-be-called-off/

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Veljko Paunovic and Reading FC handed early double boost for Fulham and Derby County fixtures

Reading FC return to Championship action with back-to-back games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with Fulham the visitors on Wednesday night and Derby County next Monday

Reading FC have been given an early boost ahead of their Championship fixtures against Fulham and Derby County over the next week.

Boss Veljko Paunovic will have both of his first-choice full-backs available - Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman - before the pair fly out to Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ghanaian duo had been expected to leave the UK in the coming days but it has now been confirmed they are being given more time to help Royals out before taking part in the competition.

The decision to allow players to play for their clubs between Monday, December 27 and Monday, January 3 has been confirmed in a letter sent on Sunday to the World Leagues Forum and the European Leagues grouping ahead of the tournament, which is due to start on Sunday, January 9.

The FIFA letter read: "This decision is taken in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity with the affected clubs in recognition of the fact that they, like all members of the football community, have been adversely affected by the onset of the Covid pandemic."

It means Yiadom and Rahman will be in contention for selection for Paunovic when Royals host Fulham on Wednesday night (8pm) and the meeting with Derby County next Monday.

Reading have had to postpone their past two fixtures against Luton Town and Peterborough United due to an outbreak of coronavirus among the squad.

However, it is understood the situation has eased with Royals and it is unlikely they will call the game off.



https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/veljko-paunovic-reading-fc-handed-22580475

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Reading Covid cases ease – Fulham game likely to go ahead

The number of Covid cases within the Reading squad has eased dramatically – meaning Wednesday night's fixture against Fulham is likely to go ahead.

The Royals had to postpone their games against Luton Town and Peterborough United over the festive period due to a coronavirus outbreak within their squad. But the position appears to have brightened over the past couple of days, according to Berkshire Live reporter Jonathan Low. He also reports that Reading should have first choice full backs Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman available for selection against Fulham as the pair have been allowed to delay their trips to Cameroon to represent Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations until January.

A letter sent to all clubs advising them of the availability requirements for the competition suggests that players selected in competing squads can represent their clubs until January 3rd. This should mean that Marco Silva can select Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri for upcoming matches as well.

The news from Swansea regarding Fulham's fixture next Monday looks less positive with a postponement considered likely at present.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/reading-covid-cases-ease-fulham-game-likely-to-go-ahead/

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Opinion: Why Reading FC need to move for Fulham star to solve AFCON dilemma

The African Cup of Nations is now confirmed to be going ahead next month, great news for participants but not so much for domestic clubs.

This update is particularly problematic for Championship side Reading, who face the real possibility of having both starting full-backs Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom out for most of January and some of February as two Ghana internationals, a real blow to a team that has suffered heavily with injuries this term.

Both Rahman and Yiadom have been two of the first names on the teamsheet for the Royals this term, operating both as full-backs and wing-backs, driving the second-tier side forward and proving to be reliable assets at the back.

With the Berkshire outfit's transfer embargo hampering their ability to get deals over the line in the summer, their depth at full-back has been non-existent, with no senior backup available on the left and only Felipe Araruna, who has been injured for the vast majority of his time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, there as an unreliable Yiadom replacement on the right.

The potential return of Tom McIntyre in January may help out on the left, with Tom Holmes playing at right-back for a sizeable chunk of the 2020/21 campaign, but that left Veljko Paunovic's men with a noticeable lack of attacking threat going forward and the duo aren't the quickest either, so having them in these unorthodox positions for more than a match or two isn't the ideal scenario.

Some would say operating with a back three with two more advanced wide men in a slightly deeper role at wing-back could pay dividends, but the lack of wingers in their squad makes this a difficult system to try and utilise, making an addition or two at full-back a real necessity in January if they have the ability to do so.

Considering their current situation with the need to cut costs, the most likely addition at this stage will come in the loan or free-agent market, though Neil Taylor's arrival at Middlesbrough has reduced the talent pool in the latter.

One player they could look towards though is Fulham's Cyrus Christie, a man that hasn't made a single appearance for the Cottagers in the second tier this season after being left out in the cold by Marco Silva, in favour of Kenny Tete and Denis Odoi.

Considering the 29-year-old made 44 league appearances for a Nottingham Forest side that conceded just 45 goals in 46 games last term and was a big part of why the East Midlands side were able to remain afloat in the division with relative ease despite their poor attacking record, he can count himself unlucky not to be involved a lot more.

Though his summer stay at Craven Cottage proved to be for the best for personal reasons, as he went on to detail in his interview with the Evening Standard last week, this is his time to move on now with the Republic of Ireland still having plenty of football left in the tank at 29.

Reading may not be able to finance a permanent move, but with his contract coming to an end at the end of the season and the full-back clearly not going to force his way into Silva's plans in the English capital, a loan move to the end of the season with the Royals paying a small portion of his wages would be the best outcome for all parties.

Not only would he be useful in Rahman and Yiadom's absence in the next month or so, but his presence could also allow the Berkshire outfit to play five at the back, one way of including all three players in the starting lineup with Yiadom performing reasonably well at centre-back when called upon.

Fighting a relegation battle may not be the most attractive offer he'll get next month, but for Christie, it's a chance to play first-team football and make a real impact at a club in their time of need.

Is there any better way of putting himself in the shop window ahead of a move away from Craven Cottage in the summer?

There is the chance that he could return to former side Forest if Djed Spence is recalled from the City Ground by parent club Middlesbrough, but that isn't guaranteed and he should jump at the option to play Championship football again, so signing on at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this term wouldn't be the worst move.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/opinion-why-reading-fc-need-to-move-for-fulham-star-to-solve-afcon-dilemma/

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Fulham (h) postponed due to ongoing COVID situation

We are very disappointed to announce that our home Sky Bet Championship fixture against Fulham, scheduled for Wednesday 29th December, has been postponed.

A significant number of ongoing COVID-19 cases continues to severely impact already injury-hit first team and Under-23 squads at the club and, during such a hectic period in the festive fixture schedule, there has been insufficient time for enough players to safely return from their periods of isolation or recover from the symptoms of the virus.

We approached the EFL to inform them about the current situation and it was confirmed that the fixture against Fulham would consequently be postponed.

We wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience and understandable disappointment this postponement causes to both home and away supporters. We have worked extremely hard to ensure we would be able to fulfil this fixture, so this decision was reached reluctantly by all at the club.

This is an entirely unprecedented situation. However, we have to appreciate that these are unprecedented circumstances we live in. And we hope our supporters understand that the health and safety of our players, coaching team and staff must remain our highest priority at this uncertain time.

A rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course and all tickets purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture - however all supporters are eligible for a refund if they are unable to attend the new date. We would encourage all supporters to keep hold of their tickets.

This is not how we wanted 2021 to end. However, we now look forward to welcoming our fans back to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to help us kick start 2022 in style when we host Derby County on Monday 3rd January, kick-off 3pm.



https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/27/fulham--h--postponed-due-to-ongoing-covid-situation/

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Reading game postponed

Fulham have confirmed their Championship game at Reading on Wednesday night has been postponed.

The Royals informed the EFL that a combination of positive coronavirus cases and injuries to first-team players meant that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture. Both clubs will now work with the EFL to reschedule the match.

It is the second festive Fulham fixture to fall victim to the spate of coronavirus-related postponements after the Boxing Day meeting with Birmingham City was postponed due to a high number of covid positive cases in the Blues camp. It is understood that Fulham's next scheduled fixture, away at Swansea City on Monday 3 January, is highly likely to also be called off due to a covid outbreak at the Welsh club.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/reading-game-postponed/

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Reading Fixture Postponed

Our Sky Bet Championship fixture at Reading on Wednesday 29th December has been postponed.

Reading informed the EFL that due to injuries as well as positive COVID-19 cases in their squad, they would not be able to fulfil the fixture on Wednesday evening.

A rearranged date for the match will be confirmed in due course.

Ticketing Information

Supporters are reminded tickets already purchased for this fixture will be valid for the rearranged fixture, when announced.

Should supporters no longer wish to attend this away fixture, the Club will be able to provide refunds.

Fans will be required to send their ticket back to the Fulham FC Ticket Office (along with a covering note requesting a refund), as these will be returned to the host club for reconciliation purposes.

Return address:
Fulham FC Ticket Office
Craven Cottage
Stevenage Road
London
SW6 6HH

Due to staff now working remotely, regretfully there may be a delay in refunds being processed on away tickets. Our post will be checked as regularly as possible, and refunds processed in due course - we thank you for your patience. Once your returned tickets have been received by the Ticket Office, due to this busy time, supporters are advised refunds can take up to ten (10) working days to appear bank in your account. Should supporters be unable to attend the rearranged date then a refund process will be announced at the time the revised fixture date is confirmed.

Donations to Fulham FC Foundation

During this time, Fulham FC Foundation will continue to support the local community. If you intend to request a refund, and would instead wish to donate your refund to the Foundation, you can do so by emailing the Ticket Office via [email protected]. Please provide your Client Reference number. Your donation will help support the most vulnerable.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Please continue to look after yourselves and others.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/27/reading-fixture-postponed/

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Reading FC suffer third successive postponement as Fulham clash is called off

Reading FC had been due to host Fulham at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday night but the game has had to be postponed for a later date

Reading FC have called off a third successive Championship match because of the Covid outbreak which has affected their squad.

Royals had been due to host Fulham at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday night.

However, the club released a statement on Monday night, confirming the match has had to be called off.

It is the third time Veljko Paunovic's side have had to postpone a game, due to a 'significant' number of positive cases among personnel at the club.

The past two games at home to Luton Town and away at Peterborough United were also postponed.

A club statement read: "A significant number of ongoing COVID-19 cases continues to severely impact [our] already injury-hit first team and Under-23 squads at the club and, during such a hectic period in the festive fixture schedule, there has been insufficient time for enough players to safely return from their periods of isolation or recover from the symptoms of the virus.

"We approached the EFL to inform them about the current situation and it was confirmed that the fixture against Fulham would consequently be postponed.

"We wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience and understandable disappointment this postponement causes to both home and away supporters. We have worked extremely hard to ensure we would be able to fulfil this fixture, so this decision was reached reluctantly by all at the club.

"This is an entirely unprecedented situation. However, we have to appreciate that these are unprecedented circumstances we live in. And we hope our supporters understand that the health and safety of our players, coaching team and staff must remain our highest priority at this uncertain time.

"A rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course and all tickets purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture - however all supporters are eligible for a refund if they are unable to attend the new date. We would encourage all supporters to keep hold of their tickets.

"This is not how we wanted 2021 to end. However, we now look forward to welcoming our fans back to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to help us kick start 2022 in style when we host Derby County on Monday 3rd January, kick-off 3pm."



https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-suffer-third-successive-22585150