Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 08/02/22...

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 Barcelona and Real Madrid want 19-year-old after failed January transfer
The Spanish giants are keen to sign the best young talent from across Europe

Liverpool ran out of time to complete the deal to sign highly-rated midfielder Fabio Carvalho from Fulham on transfer deadline day last month. This has opened the door for their rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Reds are now powerless from stopping the midfielder from talking to other clubs despite Jurgen Klopp confirming the club's interest in signing him in the summer.

Carvalho is in the final five months of his contract with Fulham, and will leave the Cottagers on a free transfer in the summer. Liverpool were keen to get a march on their rivals and had agreed an £8 million fee with the London club in January, but ran out of time on deadline day to get the deal across the line.

Ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup tie against Cardiff City, Klopp confirmed that Liverpool remain interested in bringing the Portuguese midfielder to Anfield in the summer. The German coach admitted that now things are out of their hands, but will continue to remain in talks with Carvalho's representatives.

"We will see with that. Of course, we are obviously still interested," Klopp told a news conference on Friday, as quoted on ESPN. "It would be crazy if we were not."

"It was late to do the deal before the transfer window closed again. And so in the end it didn't work out but yeah, we'll see what happens. These things are sometimes out of our hands."

However, despite the Reds' interest, their failure to complete the deal has left the door open for other clubs to approach Carvalho about a free transfer in the summer. According to Marca, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing to open talks about agreeing a pre-contract agreement with the 19-year-old sensation.

The Spanish outfits have made it a habit in recent transfer windows to target players running down their contracts. The clubs have been seeking moves where a transfer fee is not involved, which gives them added maneuverability in contract negotiations allowing them to hand out more lucrative deals.

Liverpool, however, are considered to be the front runners for Carvalho's signature, but the sudden interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid is certain to pique the midfielder's interest. Apart from the Spanish outfits, Serie A giants AC Milan are also thought to be in conversation with the England youth international's agents about a summer move to San Siro.



https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/barcelona-real-madrid-want-19-year-old-after-failed-january-transfer-1698035

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Vote For Harry & Mitro!

Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrović have both been nominated for PFA Player of the Month for January in the Championship.

Between them, the pair had 14 goals involvements for Fulham last month, with Wilson scoring twice and assisting four, while Mitro bagged six and set a further two up for teammates.

Their competition comes from Tom Lawrence (Derby County), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Emil Riis Jakobsen (Preston North End) and Chris Willock (QPR).

You can support one of the lads by voting at the below link, with the ballot closing at 11.59pm on Thursday.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/february/07/vote-for-harry-and-mitro/

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Mitrovic and Wilson up for PFA player of the month

Fulham pair Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson have both been nominated for the PFA's Championship player of the month award.

Serbian striker Mitrovic scored six and made a further two goals during a sensational month, whilst Wilson found the net twice and added another four assists. They are on the shortlist alongside Derby midfielder Tom Lawrence, Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan, Preston striker Emil Riis Jakobsen and the QPR midfielder Chris Willock.

The winner is decided by a public ballot and you can cast your vote here.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/mitrovic-and-wilson-up-for-pfa-player-of-the-month/

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Cyrus Christie named in EFL Team of the Week

Swansea City right back Cyrus Christie has been named in the Sky Bet EFL Team of the Week.

The Republic of Ireland International, who is currently on loan from Fulham, played in both of the Swans home games this week against Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers.

His performance in the 1 nil win over second in the table Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, caught the eye, as he was rated the top Swans performer by whoscored.com, closely followed by goalkeeper Andy Fisher.

The 29 year old has certainly impressed during his six appearances in a Swansea City shirt to date and has proved to be a more than adequate replacement for Ethan Laird.



https://www.scfc2.co.uk/2022/02/07/cyrus-christie-named-in-efl-team-of-the-week/

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Wallace starts: The predicted Millwall XI to face Fulham on Tuesday night

Gary Rowett's Millwall side have suffered a setback in their play-off challenge.

Their run of form in January saw them lose three league games in a row, which played a big role in the club falling to 15th in the Championship table.

However, a draw and a win in the Lions' last two league games has seen them stay within eight points of the play-off places with 18 games still left to play.

Up next for Rowett's men is a trip to Craven Cottage to face the league leaders Fulham.

Marco Silva's side won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in August, and now lead the table by five points.

Here, we predict how Millwall will line up to take on the high flying Cottagers...

Jed Wallace will most likely be brought back into the side following his return from injury and the transfer saga around his future dying down with the closure of the transfer window.

Wallace was fit enough to make the bench last time out for the 0-0 draw with Preston North End.

New signing Luke Freeman will also likely be brought into the side for his first start since joining the club.

George Saville is also returning from injury, but he will most likely only be on the bench from the start on Tuesday night.

Otherwise, the team will remain unchanged from the draw on February 1.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/wallace-starts-the-predicted-millwall-xi-to-face-fulham-on-tuesday-night/

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Millwall star set for return in London derby against Championship leaders Fulham

LIONS boss Gary Rowett could see his options boosted for the match against Fulham with the return of a number of players who have been missing of late.

Jed Wallace (quad) and George Saville (back) are back in training but it remains to be seen if they are fit enough to start at Craven Cottage.

Dan Ballard, on loan from Arsenal, had been absent with a knee issue but, despite returning to Millwall after a period of rehab at his parent club, this game is likely to come too soon.

Wallace did make his return against Preston but he was still regaining his match fitness.

The return of Wallace and Saville will be good for Rowett as he will be hoping to cause an upset by beating Championship leaders Fulham.

Millwall are currently 15th in the table having won just one of their past five league outings.

Fulham have no fresh injury concerns as Antonee Robinson and Bobby Decordova-Reid should be available having been rested for the FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Manchester City.

Jean Michael Seri came off the bench at the Etihad Stadium following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations and could be in line to start.

On-loan Liverpool defender Neco Williams is in line for his league debut for the Cottagers, who are without injury absentee Kenny Tete (groin).



https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/19905715.millwall-star-set-return-london-derby-championship-leaders-fulham/

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UPDATED: Fulham's top 5 performers so far this season according to WhoScored – do you agree?

Fulham are enjoying a terrific campaign and find themselves top of the Championship by five points with a game in hand over nearest rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Marco Silva has managed a free-scoring Fulham side to the top of the table, netting 74 times in 28 games for an average of 2.6. They sit just 25 goals behind the Championship's all-time record of 99 (Reading, 2005/06).

As we enter the final third of the season, we take a look at Fulham's top five performers of the season so far according to WhoScored...

5. Tosin Adarabioyo – 7.12
Fulham's central defender has featured in 24 league games this season, helping keep six clean sheets. Tosin and Tim Ream have formed a solid centre-back partnership and are not afraid to bring the ball out of defence.

Averaging an 85% pass success rate, Tosin has also chipped in with a couple of goals this season. He headed in the important equaliser against Bournemouth and scored one of the seven against Reading.

4. Neeskens Kebano – 7.22
Arguably having his best season in a Fulham shirt, Kebano is one of the first names on the team sheet and is averaging a 7.22 match rating. The unpredictable winger has eight goals and five assists this season.

Kebano had a terrific January with four goals in six games and can only add to his tally given the attacking threat Fulham possess.

3. Fabio Carvalho – 7.28
The 19-year-old has taken the Championship by storm in his debut season for the club. Heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in January, both clubs were unable to agree the final terms of the deal in time.

Carvalho is having a terrific season and it is understandable why teams are calling for his signature. The attacking midfielder has seven goals and four assists in 18 games. He picked up the Man of the Match award in Fulham's recent 6-2 win against Birmingham City.

2. Harry Wilson – 7.47
Fulham's tricky winger is enjoying his first season with the club and has eight goals and 10 assists in his 24 league games. The dead-ball specialist predominantly starts on the right but loves to cut in on his left foot.

Aged just 24, Wilson is set to have a fantastic career with Fulham for years to come. He has won five Man of the Match awards and has two perfect 10 match ratings, coming in 7-0 away wins against Blackburn Rovers and Reading.

1. Aleksandar Mitrović – 7.90
Unsurprisingly, the Championship's top goalscorer finds himself top of this list. Fulham's main man has 28 goals to his name, including hat-tricks against Swansea City, West Brom and Bristol City. The striker has provided a further seven assists and has played a key role in getting Fulham to where they are in the league.

Serbia's all-time top scorer also has eyes on breaking the Championship record for most goals in a season. Ivan Toney holds the record with 31, but Mitro has 18 more games to score three more.



https://the72.co.uk/261887/updated-fulhams-top-5-performers-so-far-this-season-according-to-whoscored-do-you-agree/

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Silva: Fulham must be 'fully focussed'

Marco Silva has warned his Fulham side that they are likely to be embarrassed if they take Millwall lightly at Craven Cottage tomorrow night.

Millwall might be fifteenth in the Championship table but are coming off impressive results against Preston North End and West Brom – and the Fulham head coach has seen enough to know that they will exploit any mental frailty if Fulham are not on top of their game.

Silva told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon:

"We're facing a team who will show a big respect for what we are doing so far, but at the same time they want to match us and create problems for us with their style and the way they like to play. We have to play with full focus every time. They are a team that doesn't need many things to create problems for you – long ball, second ball, they can create problems for you, and you always have to be fully focused and match them.

And we will play in our way with the ball, express ourselves like we have done so far, with quality and intensity. We may have to be patient as well, and we will do our best to win the football match. When we played there in the first half of the season, our third game of the season, it was a really important moment for us.

The way we played from kick-off, we made a big, big impact on the pitch with our quality, our intensity. Millwall as a team is really tough in all the challenges, all the duels, but we did fantastically against them."

Silva insists there is still much more to come from his side, despite Fulham taking thirteen points from their last fifteen, and highlighted his disappointment after their second half at Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday as a demonstration of where they are currently falling short.

"There is big room to improve. I won't say to you everything that we should improve, but there are many things. I think the second half of the City match is a good example. We did so well during the first half, had some brilliant moments, but we couldn't do it again in the second half after the third goal.

That is a good example of something we can improve, but looking at the Championship, we have many, many things we can improve as a collective, to get us to a different level. Players who are not playing as many games as they expected, we have to create the conditions for them to match and compete with the others. Big fights will come for us, and we must keep improving to be at our best level, because it will be tough until the end of the season."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/silva-fulham-must-be-fully-focussed/

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Pre-Millwall Press Conference

Marco Silva says Fulham quickly moved on from the weekend's FA Cup defeat at Manchester City, with an important Championship game quickly coming into view.

Though the Whites came away from the Etihad with their heads held high, the Premier League leaders proved their class to put the tie out of sight in the second period.

But the boys won't be dwelling on that, with a clash against Millwall to look forward to on Tuesday night.

"From 6pm on Saturday we started to change the mindset, to regroup again," Silva explained. "That game is already gone, it was a good moment for us to show our quality, to fight to keep our place in the FA Cup. We lost it, and now it's a new game.

"We're facing a team who will show a big respect for what we are doing so far, but at the same time they want to match us and create problems for us with their style and the way they like to play.

"We have to play with full focus every time. They are a team that doesn't need many things to create problems for you – long ball, second ball, they can create problems for you, and you always have to be fully focused and match them.

"And we will play in our way with the ball, express ourselves like we have done so far, with quality and intensity. We may have to be patient as well, and we will do our best to win the football match.

"When we played there [at the Den] in the first half of the season, our third game of the season, it was a really important moment for us.

"The way we played from kick-off, we made a big, big impact on the pitch with our quality, our intensity.

"Millwall as a team is really tough in all the challenges, all the duels, but we did fantastically against them."

Fulham have taken 13 points from a possible 15 in our league matches to date this calendar year, but Silva is always looking to take another step forwards.

"There is big room to improve," he stated. "I won't say to you everything that we should improve, but there are many things.

"I think the second half of the City match is a good example. We did so well during the first half, had some brilliant moments, but we couldn't do it again in the second half after the third goal.

"That is a good example of something we can improve, but looking at the Championship, we have many, many things we can improve as a collective, to get us to a different level.

"Players who are not playing as many games as they expected, we have to create the conditions for them to match and compete with the others.

"Big fights will come for us, and we must keep improving to be at our best level, because it will be tough until the end of the season."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/february/07/pre-millwall-press-conference/

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Plymouth Argyle assessing Steven Sessegnon fitness for Crewe Alexandra clash

The transfer deadline day signing was ruled out of the FA Cup fourth round tie away to Chelsea by injury


England under-21 international Steven Sessegnon has joined Argyle on loan from Championship club Fulham until the end of the season - Photo: PAFC

Transfer deadline day signing Steven Sessegnon remains an injury doubt for Plymouth Argyle ahead of their League One game away to Crewe Alexandra tomorrow (7.45pm).

The England under-21 international did not feature in the Pilgrims' squad of 20 players, including nine substitutes, for the 2-1 extra-time defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

Sessegnon, who have joined on loan from Championship leaders Fulham until the end of the season, was ruled out by a hamstring injury.

It was a problem the 21-year-old had before he completed his move but Argyle manager Steven Schumacher believes he will soon be fit to play his part for the Pilgrims.

If Sessegnon is not ready for the game against Crewe the hope is that he will be available for the visit of Shrewsbury Town to Home Park this Saturday.

With the Fulham loanee not fit to be involved against Chelsea there was a call-up for 19-year-old Finley Craske to be on the bench from his loan spell at Plymouth Parkway.

Sessegnon has not played any first team football this season, with his last match coming in May 2021 when he was a substitute for Bristol City in a 3-1 home Championship defeat by Brentford.

This term, his action has been limited to appearances for Fulham's under-23s' side.

Schumacher said: "Steven is trying to get himself up to speed. Before we signed him on loan, he's just recovering from a little bit of a hamstring issue.

"He wasn't quite ready to be in the squad yet physically but hopefully we will have him either for Tuesday or the weekend.

"But, on that, it gave young Finley Craske a good opportunity. He was meant to be away for Plymouth Parkway (against Highworth Town) so I think he will have enjoyed Stamford Bridge a little bit more."

Schumacher has been assessing all of his players for their fitness levels after the 120-plus minutes of action against Chelsea ahead of the visit to 22nd-placed Crewe.

The Pilgrims' boss made five substitutions during the FA Cup clash so that mitigated some of the effects on the squad.

The six players to complete the whole of the thrilling FA Cup tie were goalkeeper Mike Cooper, defensive trio James Wilson, Dan Scarr and Macaulay Gillesphey, right wing-back Joe Edwards and midfielder Jordan Houghton.

Former Crewe midfielder Schumacher said: "The lads expanded a lot of energy at Stamford Bridge and we have tried to get as much energy back into them as possible so they are ready to go again."

Argyle will have on-loan Huddersfield Town defender Romoney Crichlow available for the game at the Mornflake Stadium after he was cup-tied against Chelsea.

The Pilgrims dropped to eighth position in League One on Saturday after Sheffield Wednesday went above them by winning 2-0 away to Burton Albion.

Argyle are now five points away from the play-off places but have played at least one game fewer than six of the seven teams ahead of them in the table.

Crewe are on a run of three consecutive defeats, during which time they have also not scored a goal, after losing 1-0 at Gillingham last time out on February 1.



https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/plymouth-argyle-assessing-steven-sessegnon-6616341

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Chalobah: Competitive Spirit

After a spell on the sidelines, Nathaniel Chalobah has now featured in each of our last seven outings, and wants to continue to play his part as we target a successful end to the season.

Despite the scoreline, do you think we can be proud of our efforts in Manchester?

Yeah, definitely. I think we had probably one of our best 45 minutes of the season in the first half. Going into the game our main focus was to have the courage to play against a good team like City. The most important thing was to show that bravery to get on the ball and play the way that we play, which is what the Manager reiterates every week. I think the first half was a great image of ourselves, and in the second half things changed a little bit. They changed their formation and the way that they pressed us. The result could have been different on another day, but a lot of the boys really enjoyed the game.

You were up against an experienced midfield of Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan – how did you personally enjoy that test?

It was good. They're world class players, and you always want to go up against the best. It was a good challenge playing against them. I've played with Kevin before [at Chelsea] and played against him a few times as well, so I knew what the challenge was going to be. He's a top quality player, and so are the other two in their midfield, so it was just about concentrating and doing the best that I could.

It must feel good after getting 90 minutes under your belt against such top opposition?

It was brilliant for me really to get 90 minutes. I mean, I looked up at the clock and I was gassed out at probably about 60! There's no better way to get your fitness up than to chase some very good players around.

Our strength in depth in central midfield is probably the best it's been all season in terms of having people fit and available – that's what you need isn't it if you want to be getting promoted?

Of course. That competitive spirit between all of us is what gets us performing at a high level every week. Healthy competition is what you need when a team's objective is to get back to the Premier League. With all the players we have in the squad, there's always going to be a fight for your spot. Those playing will fight hard to keep their spot, and likewise those of us who are trying to get in the team. Competition is good as we're always at our best level, and we'll just try and take that into games. If the team's doing well and winning every week, you can't complain. The most important thing is the team, so if the team's doing well, and I'm part of it, then there's no complaints there. Obviously I'd love to be starting every week, but you've got to give credit to the boys who are playing. They're doing really well, and we're winning games. At the end of the day, the objective is to get to the Premier League, whichever way we do it.

Millwall have taken four points from their last two, with two clean sheets as well – this one is always a battle isn't it?

They're a tough side to play against. Our advantage is we're at home and we've come back from a good performance that we'll look to try and emulate. We've just got to focus on ourselves. We're top of the league for a reason and we just have to go out there and play with confidence.

There will be a period of applause in the 11th minute in memory of Paul Parish – that will be an emotional moment won't it because it's something that's affected the entire Fulham family?

Yes of course. It was a difficult moment for us as players [during the Blackpool game] because we saw the reaction from the crowd and it's not a nice thing to see. God rest his soul, he's come to watch a game and not been able to go back home. It's a difficult one for everyone involved with the Club and my condolences go out to his family and his loved ones.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/february/07/Chalobah-Competitive-Spirit/

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Kebano starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Millwall on Tuesday night

Fulham didn't get quite the result they would have wanted in the FA Cup at the weekend, having been humbled 4-1 by Man City.

Despite how well the Premier League outfit have been doing in the top tier, the Cottagers may have fancied their chances against the side considering how expertly they have been performing in the Championship. Marco Silva's side though fell by the wayside against City and will now be raring to get going in the second tier again.

This week, they face off against Millwall in a midweek clash. It won't be easy for Fulham, with the Lions also out for a good result and also proving to be a notoriously hard team to break down and beat.

With that in mind then, who could feature for the Cottagers in the fixture?

Barring any injuries or match fitness issues, then expect the same side that held Blackpool to a draw to come out fighting for this fixture too.

Neeskens Kebano and Harry Wilson both weren't at their best against City but the latter of the two did pick up an assist and in the Championship this year, both of them have been deadly. In the middle of the two is the talented Fabio Carvalho, who regularly contributes in front of goal and did so in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Aleksandar Mitrovic will be desperate to sink his teeth back into second tier opposition too after going a week without a goal – a rarity for the 27-year-old. After scoring against the Seasiders, he could be back at it for Millwall.

Behind them should be the dependable Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed and, behind them, a similar four-man backline should follow too.

Neco Williams got the nod against City and looked decent enough and you would widely expect him to keep his place now that Denis Odoi has departed.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/kebano-starts-the-predicted-fulham-xi-to-face-millwall-on-tuesday-night/

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Chalobah inspired by Fulham's strength in depth

Nathaniel Chalobah feels like he is getting back to his best – and admits the competition for places in Fulham's midfield is driving him to play at an even higher level.

The England international has endured a stop-start opening to his Fulham career with injuries limiting his involvement in the early weeks after a September switch from Watford. But the 27 year-old came through a challenging ninety minutes at Manchester City on Saturday and told the club's official website tonight there was plenty to be pleased about.

"I think we had probably one of our best 45 minutes of the season in the first half. Going into the game our main focus was to have the courage to play against a good team like City. The most important thing was to show that bravery to get on the ball and play the way that we play, which is what the Manager reiterates every week. I think the first half was a great image of ourselves, and in the second half things changed a little bit. They changed their formation and the way that they pressed us. The result could have been different on another day, but a lot of the boys really enjoyed the game.

It was good. They're world class players, and you always want to go up against the best. It was a good challenge playing against them. I've played with Kevin [de Bruyne] before and played against him a few times as well, so I knew what the challenge was going to be. He's a top quality player, and so are the other two in their midfield, so it was just about concentrating and doing the best that I could."

Chalobah admits that it isn't easy breaking into Marco Silva's first-choice midfield but feels that is the perfect indication of Fulham's strength.

"That competitive spirit between all of us is what gets us performing at a high level every week. Healthy competition is what you need when a team's objective is to get back to the Premier League. With all the players we have in the squad, there's always going to be a fight for your spot. Those playing will fight hard to keep their spot, and likewise those of us who are trying to get in the team. Competition is good as we're always at our best level, and we'll just try and take that into games. If the team's doing well and winning every week, you can't complain. The most important thing is the team, so if the team's doing well, and I'm part of it, then there's no complaints there. Obviously I'd love to be starting every week, but you've got to give credit to the boys who are playing. They're doing really well, and we're winning games. At the end of the day, the objective is to get to the Premier League, whichever way we do it."

Attention now switches to tomorrow night's London derby against Millwall, who Chalobah considers particularly tough opponents.

"They're a tough side to play against. Our advantage is we're at home and we've come back from a good performance that we'll look to try and emulate. We've just got to focus on ourselves. We're top of the league for a reason and we just have to go out there and play with confidence."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/chalobah-inspired-by-fulhams-strength-in-depth/

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EFL expert issues prediction for Fulham's midweek clash with Millwall

After bowing out of the FA Cup in style at the weekend, Fulham will look to extend their lead at the Championship when they welcome London rivals Millwall to Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening.

It looked as though the Cottagers were going to really take it to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday as Fabio Carvalho gave them an early lead, but they ended up succumbing 4-1 to their more powerful opposition.

Gaining promotion back to the top flight is a far more important task though and in recent weeks, Marco Silva's side have been at their brilliant best aside from a slip up last week against Blackpool.

If results go their way then Fulham could extend their lead at the summit of the second tier to eight points, but Gary Rowett's side will cross the River Thames aiming to make that as difficult as possible.

The Lions have only won one of their last five matches though and just three times on their travels this season, and Sky Sports pundit David Prutton is not a fan of their chances on Tuesday as he has the hosts to come out on top 2-0.

"Fulham gave a decent account of themselves at Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday, but they will be happy they can fully turn their attention to getting back into the Premier League now," Prutton said on his predictions podcast for Sky Sports.

"Millwall are drifting along a little, with their most recent performance against Preston lacking a bit of intensity.

"If they are to make anything of this season they need to go on a run, but they lack consistency.

"I do not really see anything but a home win here."

The Verdict

Like Prutton said, it's hard to see past Fulham here.

But if there's one thing going for Millwall it's that at times they've proven really hard to break down on the road – they're somewhat draw specialists.

Five away defeats this season though means they're vulnerable to all the attacking threats that the Cottagers have, including Aleksandar Mitrovic who is gunning to break records.

I could see Fulham really punishing the Lions here as a bit of a statement following their draw against Blackpool last week and there should be quite a few goals if they're on form.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/efl-expert-issues-prediction-for-fulhams-midweek-clash-with-millwall/

[WhiteJC]

Up next: Millwall (h)

Fulham's FA Cup assignment at Manchester City ended in a predictable defeat, but there were enough encouraging signs from the contest with the Premier League champions to please Marco Silva. The Whites boss surely already knows that his defence will require significant strengthening and opting for such offensive tactics will be fraught with danger in the top flight, but there were times in a frenetic first half where the hosts were definitely discomforted. The main priority remains clinching a spot back amongst English football's elite – and the quest to consolidate their strong position at the top of the Championship remains with Millwall's visit to Craven Cottage tomorrow night.

Millwall might be in fifteenth place but Gary Rowett can at least point to recent improvements. After a dispiriting run of four straight defeats, the Lions have picked up four points from games against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End – keeping consecutive clean sheets for good measure as well. Millwall have also demonstrated this season that they are capable of raising their game against the division's top sides: they have lost only two of their meetings with the Championship's top seven to date. They could consider themselves unfortunate to only draw with Queens Park Rangers, Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers and have taken four points from West Brom.

They should be acutely aware of what to expect from Fulham, who outclassed them at the New Den in back in August and yet were clinging on for all three points once a freak goal from Benik Afobe had brought the hosts back into the contest. Rowett has dismissed the idea of sitting back against the league leaders – believing that to be a recipe for disaster – and wants his side to play higher up the pitch than they managed in the first fixture. Millwall certainly have the ability to pose Fulham problems. They have added the creativity of Luke Freeman, a deadline day signing, and with Oli Burke and Jed Wallace, likely to return to the starting line-up tomorrow night, also within the visiting ranks, Silva's defence will certainly need to be on their guard.

Fulham's frailties were ruthlessly exposed at Manchester City in what could be considered a worrying glimpse of what may await if they bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. More concerning for Silva will probably be the way they allowed Blackpool to bounce back from the early concession of an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal a week earlier and go on to boss a contest they could easily have won. Rowett was open in expressing that Neil Critchley's side displayed the blueprint of the sort of performance necessary to upset the applecart in SW6 – and Fulham will have to be both more clinical and defensively disciplined for the remainder of the season.

Silva's team selection – after largely sticking with his regular line-up in the FA Cup – will be interesting. Marek Rodak should return in goal and Neco Williams will expect to continue deputising for Kenny Tete after a bruising baptism of fire against the best team in the land, but Antonee Robinson could return at left back after international duty. Both Tom Cairney and Jean Michael Seri, who came off the bench at the weekend, could come back into central midfield, which you would expect to be a decisive area in the heat of a London derby. Utilising the pair's ability to retain possession will be pivotal in securing all three points.

The movement of Fulham's front four will be vital in countering what is likely to be a three-man Millwall central defence. Mitrovic has looked occasionally isolated when heavily outnumbered as he leads the line, which is why the fluidity of Neeskens Kebano – enjoying his finest season in a Fulham shirt – and the intelligent Harry Wilson is so important. The dynamism of Fabio Carvalho was on full display in that tremendous first half against Manchester City (on another day he could quite easily have had a hat-trick) and you can see why the Whites were so keen to keep the teenager for the rest of their promotion push. Carvalho showed just what he could do in a virtuoso display against the Lions earlier in the season, so it will be intriguing to see how they try and shackle him this time around.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Williams, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Seri, Cairney; Wilson, Kebano, Carvalho, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Hector, Bryan, Reed, Onomah, Decordova-Reid, Muniz.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/up-next-millwall-h-2/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'filled with confidence' ahead of Millwall game – Silva

Fulham boss Marco Silva insists his players will not need picking up from Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City ahead of Tuesday's game against Millwall.

The Championship leaders acquitted themselves well in spells against the Premier League champions after taking an early lead through Fabio Carvalho only for City to take advantage of some lack defending to ease to a comfortable win.

"What City did against us they do week in week out," Silva said.

"But it's taken nothing from our confidence. We know the good things we did and why we did it, and we know as well the thing we should improve.

"We go into the next match on a high, filled with confidence."

Silva acknowledged the Lions, who come into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over West Brom, will pose a significantly different test to City, and said he is willing sacrifice his side's flamboyant approach if it means claiming three points.

"The main thing for me as a manager is to win football matches," Silva explained.

"I know that all the philosophies you want to create at a football club, if you don't win matches then you can't because everyone just looks at results.

"If you have something good that you are creating then that will be stopped if you don't win.

"You can win football matches in many different ways. Myself and my staff have our own philosophies and since we have come here it is clear what we want to build.

"But I think we are improving every week and seeing something good with each game."

Fulham produced one of their best displays of the season at Millwall earlier in the season, despite the narrow look of the 2-1 scoreline.

A late Lions goal failed to disguise the dominance of the Whites, who have now scored 74 times this season – the most of any team in the top four divisions.

They now need to find the target just 26 more times in the final 18 games to pass the record of 99 set by Reading's Championship-winning side in 2005/06.

However, Silva expects the uncompromising but effective approach of Gary Rowett's side to make life difficult in a match that would see Fulham move eight points clear at the summit with a win.

"From 6pm last Saturday, we started to change the mindset again and regroup," he said.

"That (City) game is gone. Now it's feet on the ground, to face a team that will come to match us and create problems and make things difficult. We have to show full focus every time."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-filled-with-confidence-ahead-of-millwall-game-silva

[WhiteJC]

Loan Round-Up: Taye The Giant-Killer

Taye Ashby-Hammond played a blinder as Boreham Wood knocked AFC Bournemouth out of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Veteran captain Mark Ricketts scored the only goal of the game at Vitality Stadium to send non-league Wood through to Round Five.

Bournemouth struggled to test Ashby-Hammond too often, but when called upon he performed brilliantly, with a stunning double save earning rave reviews.

They will now take on Premier League Everton in the Fifth Round.

Just wow! 🤯

Taye’s incredible double-save helps Boreham Wood through to the fifth round of the #EmiratesFACup!

 pic.twitter.com/cijS82ZXpD

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 6, 2022

In the Championship, Cyrus Christie helped Swansea City to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Michael Obafemi scored the only goal of the game for the Jacks, who had Ryan Manning sent off early in the second half, meaning Rovers still sit five points below Fulham in second.

Marlon Fossey also played 90 minutes as Bolton Wanderers struck an equaliser in the 14th minute of stoppage time to claim a point at Morecambe.

Elsewhere in League One, Terry Ablade came off the bench for AFC Wimbledon, but was unable to prevent them from losing their London derby 3-2 away to Charlton Athletic.

Sylvester Jasper was given a Hibernian debut, coming off the bench in their 1-0 home defeat by St Mirren.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/february/07/loan-round-up-taye-the-giant-killer/

[WhiteJC]

Odoi given glorious Fulham send off

🎶 𝒪𝒾, 𝑜𝒾, 𝑜𝒾 🎶

Great to see Denis today! 🙌#FFC pic.twitter.com/jkpFOJzvJh

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 7, 2022

Denis Odoi was given a glorious send off by his former Fulham team-mates this afternoon as they sung his song back to him in the Motspur Park canteen.

The Belgian defender, who left Craven Cottage for Club Brugge on transfer deadline day, was clearly as popular inside the dressing room as he was with the Fulham faithful. What chance a farewell on the hallowed turf at half time against Millwall tomorrow?



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/odoi-given-glorious-fulham-send-off/

[WhiteJC]

FAB MOVE The rise of humble 'no bull***' Fulham star Fabio Carvalho, from Benfica to Balham and nearly signing for Liverpool

GREG CRUTTWELL says there is "absolutely no bull****" when it comes to humble Fulham star Fabio Carvalho.

Some fans have accused the Portuguese whizkid of being too big for his boots when he rejected a contract extension with the club in November.


Balham chairman Cruttwell (back middle) helped Fabio Carvalho and his family amid his move to Fulham


Carvalho has been superb for the Cottagers this season

But that couldn't be further from the truth for the 19-year-old.

His collapsed £8million Deadline Day Liverpool move became one of the most talked about transfers of the season.

But he came off social media during that time so he could "block out the noise" and focus on helping Fulham.

His refusal to sign a new deal with the Whites is still met with the odd spatter of boos and chants of "sign the contract".

But as the spotlight continues to blare down on Carvalho, he is still the same boy who Balham chairman Cruttwell met on Clapham Common ten-years ago.

He was only eleven-years-old, barely spoke a word of English but let his feet do the talking when he joined Balham's youth set up.


Carvalho (bottom left) had Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea after him during his three-years at Balham


Carvalho (second from right) "liked Fulham best" amid the transfer circus surround him as a kid

Cruttwell told SunSport: "He will have handled the pressure of Deadline Day very well.

"I saw him two weeks ago, he was at Motspur Park watching some of his mates play in the under 23s.

"I had a chat with him and just said 'how are you finding it with all the noise that surrounds you?'

"Obviously that noise increased with Deadling Day and he just said 'I'm not looking at social media.'

"He said 'I'm just blocking everything out, all I'm concentrating on is playing the next game.'

"I believe him because there's absolutely no bull**** with him.

"He's like the Seven Up kid. Whatever happens to him, if he ends up at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, he will always be the same kid because he hasn't got a big headed bone in his body."

ARRIVAL IN LONDON
Carvalho moved to Elephant and Castle with his family when he first arrived in the UK from Portugal, having risen through the Benfica youth ranks.

Training with Balham on Clapham Common was a stark contrast to the breezy sea views, glossy tiled facades and red roofs of Lisbon.

But it proved the perfect fit for the dynamic playmaker who stayed there for three-years.

Cruttwell added: "With all that happened on transfer day, it looked like he was going to go. Was he, wasn't he and then it didn't happen.

"I know that he'll be absolutely fine getting back into training hard. He's very centred as a person.

"He's still the same when he plays for Fulham now as he was a kid, he just wants to play football.

"He is able to block all the noise out and just play. All he wants is a kick about in the park."

PAPERWORK PROBLEM
Liverpool were hashing out talks with Fulham over a move for Carvalho throughout Deadline Day.

After agreeing to their demands for the fee, a sell-on clause and loaning him back for the rest of this season, they failed to get the paperwork in before the 11pm cut off.

That wasn't the first-time Carvalho, who has hit eight goals and four assists this term, was in the middle of a transfer tussle.

Fulham were the first club to notice him but the big clubs came calling after he lit up a youth tournament in Guilford.

Cruttwell added: "Scouts from Chelsea were there because they got wind that Fulham were interested.

"They came in, then Arsenal and Manchester United flew from Carrington to meet me at a secondary school in Balham which was pretty surreal.

"Liverpool asked him to visit. It was a circus but from the outset he liked Fulham the best.

"Fabio and his parents weren't dazzled by the Disneyland spectacle of Cobham and Manchester United at Carrington. They saw the bigger picture."

The youngster once again turned heads on Saturday by grabbing an early goal in the 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

AC Milan are now keen to hijack Liverpool's summer transfer plans when he becomes a free agent at the end of this campaign.

But Carvalho's family have never pushed the starlet into moving to a megabucks club too early in his career.

Cruttwell said: "We handled the situation with Fulham for Fabio's family because their English was pretty poor and they felt under a great deal of pressure.

"They were loyal, wonderful people. We insisted Balham was part of any deal done with Fabio. We got a deal that I think no grassroots club has got before.

"Fabio's parents played a huge part in that. They didn't want to jump ship immediately, they wanted Fabio to see out the season with us."

Carvalho was left frustrated with limited game time under former Whites boss Scott Parker last term.

He instantly proved his worth by cracking in a goal on only his second Premier League appearance against Southampton in May last year.

'THE HUMBLEST KID'
Despite him blossoming into one of the world's hottest young prospects - he hasn't forgotten his roots.

He still watches Balham games at the Mayfield Stadium and catches up with pals who play at the club.

Cruttwell continued: "He's the humblest kid. He's just a special person who lights up the room.

"When he slaps your hand when he arrives anywhere, he is just amazing. And I could tell there was something magical about him immediately.

"With a kid like him he doesn't forget where he's come from.

"He comes back to Balham games whenever he can and he knows some of the boys who progressed into the first-team.

"He had a cousin who was recently over here on trial with us so he's still very connected to us."



https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/17570779/fulham-carvalho-benfica-balham-liverpool/

[WhiteJC]

Anthony Knockaert reveals how a Brighton's star serious injury led to his rapid transfer

The Frenchman swapped Belgian outfit Standard Liege for Albion in January 2016 and went onto play 139 times and score 27 goals in a legendary spell

Anthony Knockaert says had it not been for Solly March's injury there is a strong chance he would not have signed for Brighton.

The Frenchman swapped Belgian outfit Standard Liege for Albion in January 2016 and went on to play 139 times and score 27 goals in an unforgettable spell.

Despite spending just over three seasons with the Seagulls, he became a club legend, particularly because played a key role in getting them promoted to the Premier League in 2017.

In an interview on the Seagulls Social podcast in November, he spoke about how the move to the Sussex outfit came about.

The former Leicester City player had left the Foxes for Liege in the summer of 2015 but did not find the Belgian league to his liking.

He said he was already considering a move away from the club the following summer but Brighton came calling at the start of 2016 when he was on a training camp in Marbella and the rest is history.

"I was chilling with my mates, playing a card game and my agent called me and said, 'Listen, Ant. We have interest from Brighton, it could be done in the next couple of days and you could fly tomorrow morning'," he said.

"It was 5pm when he called me. I said, 'Why not? We can go and see what happens.'

"My agent dealt with the transfer fees and I said, 'Let me know when you are ready for me to travel and I will speak to the manager here', and he is a good friend of mine now.

"I went to see the manager (Yannick Ferrera) and he said I wouldn't let you leave if it was my decision but I think the club needs it [the money] and it could be good for yourself to go back to England.

"I said that is fine, I am going to say to my agent that I am ready to go and I call my agent back. I said at 6pm that day, 'I am ready to go if you are'."

The ex-under-21 French international said he flew to Brighton on the same night as that phone call and had his medical the next day.

He added how he was blown away by the Amex and the club's new state-of-the-art training complex.

And to make it all the sweeter, the fans took to him right away.

The then 24-year-old joined in the 2015/16 season and helped Albion finish third in the Championship, however, they lost to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs.

In the following campaign, Knockaert scored 15 times in 45 appearances and led them to an automatic promotion spot to the top-flight.

But, according to the now 29-year-old, it only happened because of March, then 21, suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in his knee, which ruled him out for the season.

"I actually heard it was because Solly March did his ACL and that was the main reason because they obviously needed a right-winger," he said.

"If Solly wouldn't have got injured I don't think I would have signed, to be honest."

After a season-long loan spell at Fulham in the 2019/20 campaign, Knockaert signed for the Cottagers permanently in the summer of 2015 for a fee worth up to £15m.



https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anthony-knockaert-brighton-injury-transfer-6144765