Sunday Fulham Stuff - 09/01/22...

[WhiteJC]

Bristil City 0-1 Fulham

Fulham needed an extra-time goal from Harry Wilson to progress to the FA Cup fourth round after a scrappy contest against Bristol City.

Wilson's dangerous ball into the box evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner of the net on the stroke of half-time in extra time.

It was a rare moment of quality in a game lacking clear-cut chances.

Callum O'Dowda missed a glorious chance to win the game for the hosts in normal time but fired over after 80 minutes.

Robins striker Chris Martin and Cottagers forward Bobby Decordova-Reid spurned the best openings in the first half when chances were at a premium.

Rodrigo Muniz flashed an acrobatic effort over the bar for the visitors early in the second half and even the introduction of top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic could not prevent the game going to extra time.


Harry Wilson's well-struck delivery beats Max O'Leary in the Robins goal to hand Fulham victory

The goal finally arrived as half-time in extra time approached through a well-worked corner, with Wilson playing a neat one-two with Neeskens Kebano, before sending over a curling ball which missed everyone and ended up in the net.

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson sent on top scorer Andreas Weimann in search of an equaliser but Fulham held on to make it into the fourth round with their first victory since 20 November.

Robins manager Nigel Pearson:
"We could have been more ruthless in front of goal, but overall it was a good performance and I have no complaints about my players.

"We were up against a very strong starting line-up and bench and gave it our best shot. Not every decision we made was right, but there was no questioning our commitment.

"The winning goal summed up our afternoon. But there were a lot of positives to take and the performances of all our young players involved were very good. We have lacked consistency, but now I am continually seeing evidence of the effort, which must be a given if we are to become successful."

Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"I know Harry Wilson and I also know how much that goal will do for his confidence. In our last few games, he didn't score or get an assist, so he needed that type of moment to give him a boost and will be much better for it.

"It was too long since we had played because of postponements that were not our fault, and we knew this would be a difficult tie. I grew up watching the competition on television with my father and it means a lot to me, so we want to go as far as possible.

"Some players were not at their best today and some got very tired as the match progressed. But we were able to make changes that affected the game and ended it strongly."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59914758

[WhiteJC]

Marco's Post-Bristol City press conference

Marco Silva was calm and collected in his press conference following his side's progression into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

"We achieved the main goal for us, to keep playing in this competition.

"We give this competition all the respect it deserves.

"We had some problems during the last few weeks in preparation for the game, unfortunately for us we've not played football for a long time."

After such a long break without competitive football for Silva's men, he knew there would have to be some rust to shake off to begin with.

"We knew it would be a tough game for us and them," said our Head Coach.

"We had a longer break and it showed to me during the match, some players struggled a little bit to keep playing in the high intensity 120 minutes.

"It was a typical FA Cup match, both teams trying to stay in the competition.

"There were chances for both teams to score. In one moment of the second half they had a little bit more control of the game and they had some chances.

"In extra time we were much better and we scored. We had chances, they had chances as well and of course we are happy with the result."

With another game now to squeeze into the already-packed schedule, Silva explained we'll just have to deal with it the best we can.

"It will be tough to schedule the games for us because we didn't request to postpone any games, but the reality is that the last three were postponed," he said

"Even with some COVID cases we didn't request that because we knew what was to come – every three days we will play a football match.

"Now with the next FA Cup match, we'll have to find another date for the Middlesbrough match as well.

"But it is the reality – something we can't control unfortunately – and we have to prepare our players in the best way we can."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/january/08/marco-s-post-bristol-city-press conference/

[WhiteJC]

'Goal achieved' as Fulham go through

Harry Wilson's extra-time goal took Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Both teams had chances during the regular 90 minutes but were unable to break the deadlock.

Fulham finally made the breakthrough when Wilson whipped a low ball into the box and it ended up in the far corner of the net.

The Whites' goal came soon after Tommy Conway had missed a good chance to put Bristol City ahead.

"We achieved the main goal for us – to keep playing in this competition," said Fulham boss Marco Silva.

"We give this competition all the respect it deserves. It was a typical FA Cup match, both teams trying to stay in the competition.

"We had chances, they had chances as well, and of course we are happy with the result."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-reaction-wilsons-extra-time-goal-takes-fulham-through

[WhiteJC]

Wilson sends fortunate Fulham into round four

This was a long, hard slog for Fulham after three weeks without football. They were more than a little fortunate to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup at Ashton Gate this afternoon after Bristol City had squandered the best of the chance and substitute Harry Wilson's winner from a short corner had plenty of luck about it as well. The Welsh winger, without a goal in five games, whipped in a dangerous cross from a well-worked short corner that narrowly eluded Bobby Decordova-Reid and went all the way in.

After all the postponements and coronavirus panic, it was understandable that a combination of fringe players and Marco Silva's more regular lieutenants looked decidedly rusty for much of a forgettable first period. Aside from an early sighter from Domingos Quina, it was Nigel Pearson's men who made most of the early running. A long throw saw two former Fulham loaneees link up as Tomas Kalas hurled it in the direction of Chris Martin only for Alex Scott to fail to convert the flick on. Scott headed over again after clever interplay between Martin and Nakhi Wells, who then grazed the crossbar with a 25 yard free-kick.

Fulham threatened sporadically on the counter and there would have been an irony in their opening goal being fashioned by a pair of old Robins stalwarts. Joe Bryan and Bobby Decordova-Reid made more than 380 appearances for their boyhood club and were booed throughout by the sparse home support, with the latter just failing to head home a trademark deep Bryan cross and provide the perfect response.

Fulham's lethargy was epitomised by the way in which the returning Michael Hector carelessly played Fabio Carvalho into trouble after underhitting a simple pass. The teenager was forced to bring down Han- Noah Massengo just outside the box and Martin drilled the ensuing free-kick straight at Paulo Gazzaniga. The visitors then had their best spell of the half. Nathaniel Chalobah darted dangerously into the home penalty area and created space for Decordova-Reid, who slammed his shot into the side netting. Rodrigo Muniz mistimed his jump at the far post as he sought to head in a lovely cross from Carvalho and Chalobah, after winning the ball fiercely in midfield, shot fractionally wide from distance.

But it was still Bristol City who wasted the clearest opening right before the break. Martin was sent through on goal by a slide-rule pass from Aymar Benarous but first Tosin Adarabioyo and then Gazzaniga halted his progress as the former Derby forward bore down on goal. Just how off-colour Silva's side were could be seen from the fact that had enjoyed just 34 per cent possession.

They began brightly after the interval with a sweeping move culminating in Decordova-Reid seeing his volley blocked at source. Muiz, largely shackled by the diligent defending of former Fulham centre half Rob Atkinson, almost produced a brilliant opener from nothing with another audacious bicycle kick but, as against Derby, the ball flew agonisingly over the bar. The Brazilian had a snapshot blocked by Atkinson shortly afterwards and his afternoon of toil ended when he was replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The hosts then got a second wind after a couple of promising runs from Wells. He almost picked out Callum O'Dowda with a cut back from the right and then chipped an inviting ball to the back post where two red shirts were waiting only for Denis Odoi to clear over his crossbar at full stretch. Then came City's best chance. The impressive Massengo burst down the right and found Martin, whose measured pass gave O'Dowda the whole game to aim at, but the winger blazed badly over the bar. Massengo wasn't finished there, he drove into the area and found Jay Dasilva, who was denied by Gazzaniga at the near post, after referee Jon Moss – who had decided he wasn't going to penalise robust challenges at the outset – ignored a clear push on Odoi.

Still, the red shirts poured forward. Massengo was by this point leading one-man assault on the Fulham goal and he was only denied a late winner by the bravery of Adarabioyo, who stuck his head into harm's way to block the French midfielder's goalbound drive. Silva sent on Wilson for extra time – and the he took just fourteen minutes to break the deadlock when his cross completely wrongfooted Max O'Leary. City substitute Tommy Conway missed good chances either side of Fulham's moment of fortune, the first when he rounded Gazzaniga but failed to hit the target, and then after shooting straight at the goalkeeper after superb feet from Artur Semenyo.

The Bristol City goalkeeper made amends right at the start of the second period of extra time with a superb reaction save, clawing away Tom Cairney's finish after the Fulham captain had won possession on the edge of the area. Fulham should still have wrapped it up when Kebano, running through on goal, shot far too close to O'Leary and Mitrovic managed to send the rebound over the bar.

BRISTOL CITY (3-4-3): O'Leary; Kalas, Atkinson, Pring; Scott (Weimann 105), O'Dowda, Massengo, King (Dasilva 71); Benarous (Palmer 78), Martin (Semenyo 89), Wells (Conway 90). Subs: Bentley, Wiles-Richards, Vyner, Bell.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Odoi, Bryan, Adarabioyo, Hector; Francois (Reed 71), Chalobah (Wilson 90); Decordova-Reid, Carvalho (Cairney 86), Quina (Kebano 71); Muniz (Mitrovic 70). Subs: Rodak, Tete, Ream, Robinson.

BOOKED: Carvalho, Francois, Cairney.

GOAL: Wilson (105).

REFEREE: Jon Moss (West Riding).

ATTENDANCE: 7,304.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/wilson-sends-fortunate-fulham-into-round-four/

[WhiteJC]

Silva salutes Fulham's spirit

Marco Silva admitted Fulham's performance was rather rough and ready at Bristol City this afternoon but the Portuguese head coach was delighted to make it into the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to Harry Wilson's winner in extra time.

Silva, whose side have had to wait nearly three weeks for a taste of competitive football after a succession of coronavirus-related postponements, praised his players for their fortitude during his post-match press conference at Ashton Gate.

"We achieved the main goal for us, to keep playing in this competition. We give this competition all the respect it deserves. We had some problems during the last few weeks in preparation for the game, unfortunately for us we've not played football for a long time."

"We knew it would be a tough game for us and them. We had a longer break and it showed to me during the match, some players struggled a little bit to keep playing in the high intensity 120 minutes. It was a typical FA Cup match, both teams trying to stay in the competition.

There were chances for both teams to score. In one moment of the second half they had a little bit more control of the game and they had some chances. In extra time we were much better and we scored. We had chances, they had chances as well and of course we are happy with the result."

The impact of this victory and Middlesbrough's win over Mansfield in one of the other early kick-offs means that there will be further disruption to Fulham's league campaign, but the Portuguese head coach insisted his side will prepare for every eventuality.

"It will be tough to schedule the games for us because we didn't request to postpone any games, but the reality is that the last three were postponed. Even with some COVID cases we didn't request that because we knew what was to come – every three days we will play a football match. Now with the next FA Cup match, we'll have to find another date for the Middlesbrough match as well. But it is the reality – something we can't control unfortunately – and we have to prepare our players in the best way we can."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/silva-salutes-fulhams-spirit/

[WhiteJC]

'Goal achieved' as Fulham go through

Harry Wilson's extra-time goal took Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Both teams had chances during the regular 90 minutes but were unable to break the deadlock.

Fulham finally made the breakthrough when Wilson whipped a low ball into the box and it ended up in the far corner of the net.

The Whites' goal came soon after Tommy Conway had missed a good chance to put Bristol City ahead.

"We achieved the main goal for us – to keep playing in this competition," said Fulham boss Marco Silva.

"We give this competition all the respect it deserves. It was a typical FA Cup match, both teams trying to stay in the competition.

"We had chances, they had chances as well, and of course we are happy with the result."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-reaction-wilsons-extra-time-goal-takes-fulham-through

[WhiteJC]

Gazzaniga feels Fulham's confidence growing

Paulo Gazzaniga was delighted to keep a clean sheet at Bristol City and secure Fulham's safe passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Argentinian goalkeeper, making his first appearance November, produced a string of fine saves to keep the Whites in the contest before Harry Wilson's extra time winner at Ashton Gate. Gazzaniga told FFCTV that he hoped the Cup success could provide some momentum for the busy run of January fixtures:

"It was a very tough game, but the team reacted very well. We made a big, big effort and this is the result. It was teamwork and we were very happy. We showed that we were a solid team and we are starting to build up our confidence again. We hope that this will help us for future games."

Gazzaniga was pleased that Fulham's battling qualities came to the fore as they dug in through some difficult periods to record a gritty victory.

It's always nice to get minutes. We are used to doing this. It is our job. We have to be ready. It is great to build up our confidence for the whole team. It is always nice to get a clean sheet and to win the game the way we did. We didn't always play a great game, but it always very important to get a clean sheet.

I have to show that I am there, pushing [Marek]. That's my job! I don't have a favourite save – I am just very happy with the clean sheet. It is always great to make the fans happy. They follow us everywhere so this is amazing."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/gazzaniga-feels-fulhams-confidence-growing/

[WhiteJC]

Ashby-Hammond stars as Boreham Wood shock Dons

Fulham goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond continued his outstanding form for Boreham Wood as the National League outfit stunned AFC Wimbledon this afternoon to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time.

Ashby-Hammond, who has only conceded four goals in almost 1,100 minutes of football since moving to Meadow Park in October, kept the eighth clean sheet of his loan spell as the Wood beat the Dons 2-0 thanks to goals from Tyrone Marsh and Adrian Clifton. Ashby-Hammond made a fine second half save to deny Jack Rudoni at 1-0 – and led the raucous dressing room celebrations afterwards.

Fulham forward Terry Ablade, who joined AFC Wimbledon on loan yesterday, was an unused substitute for the Dons.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/ashby-hammond-stars-as-boreham-wood-shock-dons/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham face failure in Fulgini pursuit

Fulham's ambitious attempt to acquire Angelo Fulgini from Angers appears doomed to failure after Marseille entered the race to sign the attacking midfielder, according to the Sun.

Fulham have been heavily linked with the 25 year-old, who looks set to move on during this transfer window, and were hoping to use their position in the Championship promotion positions to persuade Fulgini to move to London. But Marseille's interest in the playmaker makes them an attractive domestic option for Fulgini, who has scored three goals in eighteen Ligue 1 games this season,

The Sun says that the former French under-21 international is keen on a move to the Premier League and Burnley are believed to be preparing an offer. Angers are looking for as much as £18m for their star midfielder – which is another reason why the Whites are likely to be priced out of the race.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/fulham-face-failure-in-fulgini-pursuit/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham are ball number 16 in FA Cup fourth round draw

Fulham will be ball number sixteen in this afternoon's FA Cup fourth round draw.

The Whites made it into the hat after Harry Wilson's extra-time winner at Ashton Gate beat Bristol City.

The draw will take place live on ITV at around 4.50pm after West Ham United play Leeds United and before Nottingham Forest host Arsenal. It will be conducted by former England goalkeeper David James and the Arsenal Women captain Leah Williamson.

Ball numbers for the FA Cup fourth round draw

1. Boreham Wood

2. AFC Bournemouth

3. Stoke City or Leyton Orient

4. Southampton

5. Chelsea

6. Liverpool or Shrewsbury Town

7. Cardiff City or Preston North End

8. Coventry City

9. Huddersfield Town

10. Brighton & Hove Albion

11. Kidderminster Harriers

12. Leicester City

13. Middlesbrough

14. Hartlepool United

15. Everton

16. Fulham

17. Tottenham Hotspur or Morecambe

18. Crystal Palace

19. Brentford

20. Manchester City

21. Wigan Athletic

22. Luton Town or Harrogate Town

23. Plymouth Argyle

24. Manchester United or Aston Villa

25. Wolverhampton Wanderers or Sheffield United

26. Cambridge United

27. Barnsley

28. Peterborough United

29. West Ham United or Leeds United

Fourth round fixtures are scheduled to be played between Friday 4 February and Monday 7 February 2022.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/fulham-are-ball-number-16-in-fa-cup-fourth-round-draw/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham fight off the rust

For about seventy minutes, what we watched at Ashton Gate felt like one of those well-meaning testimonials or the very first summer pre-season friendly. Played at half pace in front of precious few spectators, these games are the ones that we furiously scrutinise for clues of how the next campaign could pan out. That FA Cup third round weekend, traditionally one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar, can now be compared to a practice match shows both how far the competition has fallen and the impact of the last few weeks of cancellations on Fulham's season.

Players need certainty, structure and rhythm. When Marco Silva's side were putting people to the sword left, right and centre in November, it looked feasible that the Whites might stretch away at the top of the Championship. Fast forward a couple of months – and the arrival of the omicron variant – and those words feel foolish. Silva has spoken before about the need to retain a hefty squad because of the stringent demands of the Championship schedule: those words look particularly prescient now, with a fourth postponement in the offing after Middlesbrough also progressed past the third round yesterday.

Silva went for a mix and match approach in the Westcountry with the rescheduled trip to Reading also on his mind. Some of his understudies acquitted themselves well. Paulo Gazzaniga was probably Fulham's man of the match, producing a series of excellent saves to keep the visitors in the contest, and Denis Odoi delivered dependably at right back once again. Others were less impressive. We were reacquainted with Tyrese Francois in central midfield after the Australian's cameo at the start of the campaign was ended by a calf complaint but the young tyro struggled to impose himself on proceedings, surrendering the ball far too readily in dangerous positions earlier on.

Fabio Carvalho blew hot and cold as well, not helped by an early yellow card he had to take for crudely chopping down Han-Noah Massengo on the edge of the area after a horrific pass from Michael Hector. Fulham were on the back foot for most of the first half, although Carvalho's quick feet did provide some of their brightest moments – including a cross that might have produced an opening goal had Rodrigo Muniz timed his jump better at the back post. One of the reasons why the away side struggled for cohesion came from a lack of authority in central midfield. Nathaniel Chalobah flashed a shot wide of goal from long range and made a great chance for Bobby Decordova-Reid, but disappointed when it came to his primary role – protecting the back four.

There were flashes from Domingos Quina, handed a surprise start when all the signs seemed to point to an early return to Watford, but he made bafflingly poor decisions in the final third, which is something of a drawback for an attacking midfielder. Rodrigo Muniz remains a work in progress with a penchant for the speculator: one of those overhead kicks will go in eventually, won't they? Many of these players would be perfectly serviceable as a like-for-like replacement, but with nine alterations from the Sheffield United defeat before Christmas, there was always likely to be a levelling off.

It was noticeable that Fulham began to find some fluency when the cavalry came off the bench. They might not have immediately appreciated an extra thirty minutes, but a bit more match sharpness in the legs could come in handy against the Royals. The way in which Fulham fought to their first ever cup victory over Bristol City was encouraging and, having been second best for the first seventy minutes or so, the margin should have been much greater than Harry Wilson's extra time fluke. Aleksandar Mitrovic spurned a pair of presentable chances, the second of which immediately followed Neeskens Kebano's failure to finish a one-on-one, and Tom Cairney was thwarted by a special Max O'Leary save.

An end to the worrying winless run from last year will have done wonders for morale at Motspur Park after what has been a difficult few weeks. The games come thick and fast now and Fulham will be all the better for this strenuous workout.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/fulham-fight-off-the-rust/