Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 16/03/22...

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Results

Tuesday
Barnsley	2-0	Bristol City
Birmingham	0-2	M'borough
Blackburn	3-1	Derby
Bournemouth	1-1	Reading
West Brom	1-0	Fulham

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West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Fulham

Fulham lost their first Championship away game since defeat at Coventry on 2 October

West Bromwich Albion inflicted runaway Championship leaders Fulham's first league away defeat since October in a well-earned win at the Hawthorns.

Callum Robinson's neat second-half finish was enough to consign the Championship leaders to only a second defeat in their last 14 league matches.

Fulham failed to register a single shot in the first half in a below-par performance from the usually free-scoring side.

Their lead at the top was cut to 11 points after Bournemouth's draw with Reading, while West Brom sit 12th, six points outside the play-off places.

The home side dominated from the off, with Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak making a string of saves to deny Karlan Grant and Robinson as the Baggies created several chances.

Conor Townsend's deflected cross cannoned back off the post as the sides went in at half-time deadlocked.

Rodak saved an early headed chance from Grant before Fulham finally began to threaten, with Antonee Robinson beginning to attack down the left-hand side.

Fabio Carvalho ghosted past a West Brom defender before taking aim and narrowly missing the target.

Despite Fulham's improvement it was the home side who took the lead when Grant latched on to a loose pass from Antonee Robinson, playing in Callum Robinson who finished neatly beyond Rodak.

Harry Wilson's left-footed strike was inches away from an equaliser before Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was kept on the periphery by the Baggies' backline, put a chance wide as the hosts secured a deserved win.

West Brom boss Steve Bruce:
"We've taken seven points out of nine and now the pressure is on all of us at Bristol City on Saturday. Can we repeat that performance? Who knows?

"There are probably too many teams chasing but we have to win at Bristol on Saturday before the international break.

"There have been a few harsh truths spoken. It was not acceptable and I think they realised that too with the performance against Swansea.

"You can get beaten but it's the manner of it that counts and since then it's been better. Maybe that was the low point. I hope it is anyway."

Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"It was not good enough. In the first half we were not here - it was just our shirts on the pitch.

"I don't want to be unfair on West Brom because they were the best team and they deserved to win.

"We didn't express ourselves, and they did what we expected. Marek (Rodak) kept us in the game.

"In the second half it was a little bit different. We had a big chance with Mitro (Aleksandar Mitrovic) where we should have equalised."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60656888

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Post-West Brom Press Conference

Marco Silva rued a poor first half from Fulham as we fell to defeat at the Hawthorns.

West Bromwich Albion's winner actually came after the restart, but it was a first 45 to forget for the Whites as we failed to register a shot.

"It wasn't good enough," Silva acknowledged. "The first half, we weren't here. It was just our shirts which were on the pitch first half, because we were not here.

"I don't want to be unfair to West Bromwich, because they did their best and they deserved to win the match. But first half we were not on the pitch.

"We didn't express ourselves, we didn't play in our way. They did everything we were expecting, nothing new.

"Marek kept us in the game with some saves in the first half. Second half was a little bit different, we were more ourselves, although not with the quality that we've shown this season.

"We reacted after the goal, we started to play, we pushed them back. Okay, they sat back a little bit as well, but we started.

"We didn't have a big number of chances but we had two or three dangerous moments, a big chance for Mitro that should equalise the game. But it was not enough."

It's now two-and-a-half weeks until Fulham's next match, but Silva disagreed when it was put to him that the international period may have come at a good time.

"It's come at a bad time, because I don't like to go for a break with this feeling that we have after losing the game," he explained. "Our players don't like it as well, which is easy to understand as there's big disappointment in our dressing room at the end of the match.

"They deserved the three points more than us, but what's made the difference for us so far this season is the way we are reacting as a team.

"It's good for us that we haven't had a big number of bad moments, but every time when we have a bad performance or bad result, we are reacting in a fantastic way.

"This is what we have to do again."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/march/15/post-west-brom-press-conference/

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The winner of the PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans' Player of the Month - February

Fulham's domination of the Championship and charge back to the Premier League continued in February - led by their brilliant striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian hotshot has already claimed the PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans' Player of the Month award on three occasions - and he has now made it four.

The Cottagers claimed four victories from five games in February and it is little surprise that Mitrovic maintained his stunning form as he broke through the 30-goal barrier for the season.

After an FA Cup loss to Premier League champions Manchester City, Fulham got back to winning ways with a 3-0 success over capital rivals Millwall, with Mitrovic bagging a brace.

The number nine followed that up with a brilliant finish in the 1-0 win at Hull City. He did not score in the loss to Huddersfield and that was telling because throughout the month, Fulham won every match that their talisman scored in.

The month ended with Fulham and Mitro added three more goals. He grabbed both in the 2-1 win over Peterborough before claiming the crucial goal in the 1-0 win over Cardiff.

All this led to Mitrovic taking more than a quarter of the fan vote with over 28,000 votes cast. He won nearly 10% more votes than his nearest rival, Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson.

It was close between second, third and fourth with Johnson finishing fewer than 200 votes ahead of Reading's Lucas Joao, who ended with 18% of the ballot. Joao in turn only just claimed more than Blackpool's Josh Bowler.

Veteran Sheffield United star Billy Sharp finished fifth with 10% of the vote ahead of Luton's newly converted defender Kal Naismith finishing.



https://www.90min.com/posts/aleksandar-mitrovic-pfa-vertu-motors-championship-fans-player-of-the-month-february-2022

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Mitrovic voted PFA player of the month

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has been voted the PFA's Championship player of the month for February.

The Serbian striker scored six goals in five games last month, with his brace against Peterborough helping him to break the Championship goalscoring record, and scooped 28% of the vote to collect his fourth award of a remarkable season.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/03/mitrovic-voted-pfa-player-of-the-month/

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"Fulham will be paid" – 'Now clear' Cottagers deal will take place 'regardless of everything else'

Arriving on loan from Fulham in the summer, few expected André-Frank Zambo Anguissa to perform as well as he has done for Napoli.

It was always clear that he is a good player, having shown as much at Marseille and Villarreal in the past, but he took to Italian football like a duck to water, which immediately made the €15m pre-agreed option to buy look like a great deal.

Talk of Napoli triggering it to keep the Fulham midfielder beyond the current season has been rife throughout the campaign, and Paolo Bargiggia, speaking to 1 Football Club on 1 Station Radio, relayed by Napolipiu, explained the current situation.

He said: "It's now clear, Napoli want to redeem Anguissa. De Laurentiis' club broke the delay and will pay the amount that was established in the beginning. So Fulham will be paid €15m for the Anguissa transfer."

Not only that, the journalist also made it clear that the fee would be paid 'regardless of everything else' that goes on at the Italian club going forward, meaning the player is a priority for Luciano Spalletti and co.

Of course, these are just words, and actions speak louder than those, but it's promising for Fulham, who will be somewhat glad to make some of their initial £22m investment back, even if there could now be a feeling that €15m is too little after his performances this season.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-will-paid-now-clear-cottagers-deal-will-take-place-regardless-everything-else/

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Who is Rafael Ramos? The man Fulham and Burnley are eyeing up this summer

Sky Bet Championship side Fulham and Premier League Burnley are eyeing up a move for Rafael Ramos this summer, according to Football Insider.

The report states that Fulham boss Marco Silva is aware of Ramos due to his Portuguese connections and that Burnley are weighing up a summer move amid their Premier League relegation battle.

But this begs the question – who is Rafael Ramos?

The now 27-year-old began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal's youth academy, but also had spells in the youth ranks with Real Massama and Benfica.

It was at Benfica that Ramos signed a senior deal – one that would supposedly keep him at the club until 2020.

This was not to be the case though, with Ramos finding himself being sent to Orlando City in 2014 as part of an affiliation between Benfica and the Florida club.

Ramos would go on to make 45 appearances for Orlando City as they joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015, but, in 2018, was traded to Chicago Fire for Cameron Lindley and $100,000 dollars 'targeted allocation money'.

The defender didn't settle in Chicago, though, making just five appearances in total for the club, and agreeing a mutual exit at the end of 2018.

Ramos headed back to Europe linking up with Netherlands outfit FC Twente, who, at the time, found themselves in the Eerste Divisie, the Dutch second-tier.

The Portuguese defender featured 21 times for FC Twente in the second half of that season, helping them to the title and a promotion back to the Eredivisie.

At the end of that campaign, despite their success, Ramos left for his homeland, Portugal, signing for top-flight side Santa Clara.

Since 2019, Ramos has made 82 appearances for the club – which includes appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League this campaign.

The 27-year-old is considered one of the best defenders in the Portuguese top-flight according to Football Insider, and, he is entering the final year of his contract this summer.

With just one year left on his current deal, that could mean he would be available at a reduced price if Fulham and Burnley went in for him.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/who-is-rafael-ramos-the-man-fulham-and-burnley-are-eyeing-up-this-summer/

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"Would be an upgrade in that department" – Fulham eye transfer move for England international: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Championship side Fulham are one of four clubs interested in signing Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez, as per a report from Anfield Watch.

The 24-year-old's game time has been limited on Merseyside so far this season, making just five league appearances and spending the vast majority of the Premier League season either out of the matchday squad altogether or on the bench.

Not only is he behind Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk in the pecking order – but Ibrahima Konate is also providing him with a tough challenge as he continues to wait for another opportunity under Jurgen Klopp.

He could potentially be offered an escape route though, with the Cottagers, Everon, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham all thought to be willing to lure the England international away from Anfield, possibly being crucial to his chances of winning a spot in his national side's World Cup squad.

Looking at this from the second-tier side's perspective though, would this be a good move for them? And is he needed figure in the English capital with the likes of Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo already at their disposal?

We asked three of our writers at Football League World for their verdicts.

Declan Harte
Joe Gomez would be an excellent signing if Fulham can pull it off.

The Liverpool defender has struggled for minutes this season, but the Reds will still want to avoid parting ways with a homegrown player so easily.

Gomez has great experience and is still only 24-years old.

He has played alongside the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip and has learned so much as part of Jurgen Klopp's defence.

While he still makes the odd silly mistake, he is usually quite a dependable defender and would be an upgrade in that department for Fulham.

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson
I think if Fulham go up and they managed to get Joe Gomez, they'd be very happy with that.

Let's not forget, this is a player that has 11 caps for England and has played well over 100 times for the Liverpool first team. At 24, that is some experience to have under your belt.

With the Qatar World Cup looming, Gomez may well feel the need to get out of Anfield in order to increase his chances of making the squad, and Gareth Southgate has shown he doesn't tend to discriminate in terms of who you play for.

If you're playing well, you're in, so there's every chance a move to Fulham could happen if his England ambitions were the motivating factor behind a potential Anfield exit.

Whether they pull it off remains to be seen, but Joe Gomez would certainly be a good signing for Fulham.

Adam Jones
Gomez would be a superb addition for the Cottagers if they were able to get this deal over the line.

Considering he was previously at Charlton and was born in the English capital, he should take no time in adapting to life at Craven Cottage.

Tosin Adarabioyo may be a talented centre-back worth starting, even in the Premier League, but they need more quality in this position with the likes of Alfie Mawson and Michael Hector not guaranteed to be at the club next season.

Terence Kongolo also continues to suffer with fitness issues and although the Dutchman would be a real asset in the top flight if he was fit, they can't rely on him considering his injury record in recent years.

The challenge for the Cottagers has not been getting up, but staying up in the top tier and the addition of an established top-flight defender like Gomez will only help them to remain in the Premier League for the long term.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/would-be-an-upgrade-in-that-department-fulham-eye-transfer-move-for-england-international-the-verdict/

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Sources: West Ham tracking Fulham ace as summer transfer opportunity looms

Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo will have a release clause come into play for a brief period at the start of the next transfer window, with sources explaining to Football League World that West Ham have him on their radar.

Adarabioyo's future with Fulham has been a major talking point since their relegation back to the Championship in 2021.

Ultimately, he's remained with Fulham, who look destined for the Championship title and a return to the Premier League in 2022.

Back in June, Football League World reported how there was a £10m release clause written into the defender's contract. That expired in mid-July and no move materialised.

It's now been explained to Football League World that for a very brief period at the start of the next transfer window, a release clause will come into play.

West Ham are one club keeping tabs on Adarabioyo as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.

The 24-year-old has made 32 appearances in the Championship this season for Fulham, playing a crucial role in helping Marco Silva's side into a commanding position in pursuit of the title and a Premier League return.

Fulham have collected 77 points from their 36 fixtures so far this season, with Adarabioyo even chipping in with his first goals for the club in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and 7-0 win over Reading FC.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sources-west-ham-tracking-fulham-ace-as-summer-transfer-opportunity-looms/

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Opinion: Swansea City must take advantage of apparent Fulham transfer stance with this potential deal

With the summer transfer window already moving on to the horizon, clubs will already be identifying the areas of their squads they want to strengthen, once the market reopens.

Judging by recent claims, it seems that one position that Fulham will be looking to add to come the end of the season, is at right-back.

Perhaps not surprisingly given the impressive performances he has produced since arriving on loan from Liverpool in the January transfer window, Fulham are reportedly keen to extend Neco Williams' spell with the club into next season at the very least.

Meanwhile, subsequent reports have claimed that the Cottagers are also keen, along with Premier League side Burnley, on signing another right-back, Rafael Ramos, from Portuguese top-flight side Santa Clara.

As a result, it looks as though the runaway Championship leaders could be getting plenty of business done on the right-hand side of their defence, and one club who could look to take advantage of that, are Swansea City.

Back in the January transfer window, the Swans strengthened their own options at right-back, with the signing of Cyrus Christie on loan from Fulham themselves, until the end of the season.

Since then, Christie has become an important figure in Swansea's side, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 12 Championship appearances following his arrival in Wales.

With the 29-year-old backing that up with a string of impressive all round performances, Swansea manager Russell Martin has already admitted that he would like to make that loan move a permanent one in the summer, and it seems Fulham have given him the signal to go-ahead with his pursuit of that deal.

Given the Cottagers are already looking at other right-backs, it seems that Christie does not have a place in Fulham manager Marco Silva's plans for next season.

As a result, it would make very little sense for the Cottagers to keep the 29-year-old around, if he is going to be behind both Williams and Ramos in the pecking order, as you would expect him to be, given the investment Fulham would have to make to secure the services of that duo for next season.

Indeed, with Christie out of contract at Craven Cottage at the end of the current campaign, Swansea could have the opportunity to get this deal done for free – making sense from a financial perspective – if Fulham do go down the route of those other targets.

Given Christie is already settled in Swansea, and the fact that he knows he can get regular football at the club, as part of a side Martin seemingly has big plans for, you have to feel that such a move would be appealing to the right-back as well.

That of course, is something that those parties could already be considering given the clear stances that have been set out by all involved, which could allow Swansea to get this deal done quickly once the market is open again.

With that in mind, it seems that Fulham's plans to strengthen their own squad come the summer, could in turn to allow Swansea to do just the same with their side.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/opinion-swansea-city-must-take-advantage-of-apparent-fulham-transfer-stance-with-this-potential-deal/

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What might Fulham's starting XI look like if they sign Liverpool's Joe Gomez?

Fulham are said to be among a number of clubs looking into a potential deal to sign Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez this summer.

Fulham could make a move for Gomez, 24, this summer should Liverpool look into sanctioning his potential exit from Anfield.

The Englishman has fallen out of favour at the lub. He's featured just five times in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp's side this season and now looks as though he could be on the move this summer.

What would Fulham's starting XI look like with Gomez in it?

As a centre-back, Gomez would obviously slot into the middle of defence should he join Fulham in the summer – but it might not be as simple as that.

Marco Silva already has some quality centre-backs at his disposal. The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream have manned the defence admirably this season, and Silva also has the experienced likes of Michael Hector and Alfie Mawson as his back-up players.

Gomes then wouldn't just walk straight into the line-up. But he could if Adarabioyo leaves – he's been linked with a move to West Ham ahead of the summer transfer window.

Elsewhere, Silva will be left with a void on the right-side of his defence next season. Neco Williams is his only recognised right-back at the moment and he's been impressive since joining, but is set to return to parent club Liverpool in the summer.

One right-back who has today been linked with a move to Craven Cottage though is Santa Clara's Rafael Ramos, with Fulham rivalling Burnley for the free summer signing.

Silva's current back-four then could look a lot different on the opening game of next season, which looks likely to be in the Premier League.

Gomez would be a fine addition to the squad and at 24, he still has plenty of footballing years ahead of him.



https://the72.co.uk/266396/what-might-fulhams-starting-xi-look-like-if-they-sign-liverpools-joe-gomez/

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Below-par Fulham beaten by West Brom

Callum Robinson's second-half goal condemned Championship leaders Fulham to a rare defeat.

Robinson slotted past keeper Marek Rodak after being set up by Karlan Grant's through ball.

Fulham were well short of their best, especially in a first half in which they failed to register a shot on target. Top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic blasting over summed up their night.

West Brom troubled them in the first half, with Rodak pushing Grant's effort on to the post before Fulham were arguably fortunate not to have a penalty awarded against them following a challenge by Harrison Reed on Alex Mowatt.

After Robinson broke the deadlock, Harry Wilson went close to equalising when he fired just wide and Nathaniel Chalobah was unable to hit the target after being found by Fabio Carvalho.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/below-par-fulham-beaten-by-west-brom

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Pitiful Fulham slump to 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich as Mitrovic misses late sitter

A lacklustre performance by Fulham saw West Bromwich deservedly claim all three points thanks to a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Callum Robinson capitalised on a moment of indecision from Fulham's backline to fire West Bromwich ahead with an angled effort through Marek Rodak's legs after 63 minutes.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Nathaniel Chalobah both had chances to equalise in the final minutes of regular time but the resurgent Baggies hung on to the lead to make it seven points from their last three games, and who knows, rekindle their fading top-six hopes.

West Bromwich Albion could have easily been 3-0 up in the first half such was their dominance and control over the game.

Loaded in attack and assured at the back, the Baggies avenged the 3-0 drubbing earlier this season as they outfought and, barring a brief spell in the end, outplayed the Londoners from start to finish.

The Baggies oozed confidence and style after fighting back from 2-0 to earn a share of the spoils against Huddersfield here at The Hawthorns on Friday night, playing an entertaining brand of football.

They tried to cause a stir against the league leaders Fulham early on but could could not reap the rewards of their high pressing in the opening 45 minutes.

Manager Steve Bruce's side came close to opening the lead on six minutes, but Karlan Grant fired into the side-netting after a well-weighted pass in behind from Callum Robinson.

The table toppers were extremely passive in the first half, conceding possession to the visitors and failing to fashion a single goalscoring opportunity with 35-goal hero Aleksandar Mitrovic finding himself on the periphery of the game.

Shortly before the hour-mark, Grant had a pop at goal but his first-time volley from around 20 yards out was beaten away by Rodak who did well to storm off his line and punch it clear and away from danger, with Robinson on hand to potentially tap home the rebound.

Grant then had a third chance to break the future Premier League side's resistance but fluffed his lines through on goal.

Robinson swept out a majestic pass into space, and after making a run in behind Tim Ream, the ex-Charlton striker fired his effort straight at Rodak as Fulham were hanging in.

In the 37th minute journeyman Robinson cut inside Tosin Adarabioyo before unleashing a thumping effort goalwards but Rodak was equal to it.

The Czech international was his side's top performer in the first period and whenever that is the case it hints at major issues across the pitch.

A lethargic Fulham side failed to show a reaction and kept conceding possession to the hosts, who kept committing numbers forward in their search for a merited opener.

Harrison Reed then nearly prodded the ball into his own net following a low cross into the six-yard box.

But the despite the gulf in quality, nothing separated the two sides when the referee blew the half-time whistle.

After the restart, the lanky Semi Ajayi headed a long ball forward into the box from the right but Grant again wasted a chance to get his side off the mark, directing a free header right into the arms of Rodak.

After labouring for large parts of the game and seeing little of the ball, Fulham showcased why they sit top of the table.

Momentum was shifting but they missed chance after chance. Fabio Carvalhos' curled effort went a fraction wide from edge of box on 56 minutes before Harry Wilson didn't do much better 14 minutes later, sending a bending effort wide of the post after finding space.

And if the unplayable Mitrovic fails to bury a chance inside the penalty box after a wonderful square pass from Carvalho you know that it was simply not meant to be.

Bournemouth's 1-1 draw at Reading ensured however that the out-of-sight Cottagers still have an 11-point advantage at the top of the table and a lot has to go wrong for them not to seal promotion.



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/pitiful-fulham-slump-to-1-0-defeat-at-west-bromwich-as-mitrovic-misses-later-sitter

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Robinson ruins Fulham's unbeaten away run

Fulham, so easy on the eye for so much of the season, deserved absolutely nothing at the Hawthorns this evening and that's exactly what they got. Marco Silva's side were perhaps showing signs of tiredness playing their fourth game in the space of ten days but they utterly failed to match the sharpness and intensity of a West Brom side who appear to be enjoying their football again under Steve Bruce. The league leaders were fortunate to be level having been completely outplayed in the first half and when Callum Robinson capitalised on an atrocious pass out from the back by Antonee Robinson, it was the least the Baggies deserved.

Fulham's riposte was limp, just like much of their football throughout an uninspiring ninety minutes. Nathaniel Chalobah flicked an improvised finish across the face of goal, Fabio Carvalho flashed an angled shot wide and Neco Williams lashed wastefully over from a short corner before the man you would have put your house on to level things up, Aleksandar Mitrovic, blazed over from seven yards after a clever Carvalho cut back. Five minutes of added time came and went without any threat from the Londoners. A dispirited Silva trudged off having seen his side fail to test Sam Johnstone at all – and waste the chance to set a club record of twelve league games unbeaten.

The Portuguese head coach, whose adventurous approach has been such of a breath of fresh air this term following the stale football of Scott Parker, must shoulder some of the blame himself. He made only a single change to a side that had looked sluggish at Barnsley on Saturday – opting for Nathaniel Chalobah's physicality over Jean Michael Seri in central midfield – and didn't freshen things up after Fulham had been dominated in the first 45 minutes. They couldn't match the Baggies' bright start and were indebted to the quick reflexes of Marek Rodak for keeping them in the contest by the break.

Albion had clearly taken confidence from coming from 2-0 to salvage a draw against in-form Huddersfield on Friday night and were determined to throw the first punches against the table toppers. Bruce's decision to keep veteran striker Andy Carroll, who had scored the equaliser against the Terriers, on the bench and persist with Callum Robinson and Karlan Grant almost paid immediate dividends. The duo linked up along the left after just six minutes with Grant firing into the side netting after escaping beyond the Fulham defence.

Grant then saw a powerful first-time volley palmed away by Rodak, who reacted quickest to fist the ball further clear of danger with Robinson lurking to profit from any rebound. He produced another smart save to thwart Grant in a one-on-one after the former Charlton forward had outsprinted Tim Ream and then made himself big at the near post to deny Robinson as Albion piled on the pressure. Harrison Reed turned a Connor Townsend cross onto his own woodwork as Fulham finished the first half under serious strain.

The pattern of proceedings continued initially after the interval with Grant visibly upset not to make better contact with Semi Ajayi's flick on from a free-kick as Rodak was relieved to only have to make a routine save. Fulham gradually enjoyed the share of possession they have come to expect in the Championship this season but struggled to break down a resolute home defence. Carvalho sent a low effort wide of the far post after latching onto a pass from Bobby Decordova-Reid whilst Harry Wilson fired fractionally wide himself after cutting in onto his favoured left foot.

Just as you felt Fulham were going to move into top gear they gifted Albion an opener. Robinson surrendered possession with a horrible square ball from his left back position. Grant seized upon it and weighted a lovely ball outside Ream, who couldn't readjust to track the run of Robinson, who made a difficult low finish across Rodak and into the far corner look straightforward. Bruce's side were largely comfortable in holding onto a slender lead – with Mitrovic's glaring miss from a low Carvalho cross their only real hair-raising moment.

The result might mean little when we come to consider the final complexion of the Championship table, especially as Bournemouth dropped more points after being held at home by relegated-threatened Reading, but the woeful performance will be a concern for Silva, whose side looked as flat as they have been all season. A two-and-a-half week break before the west London derby with Queens Park Rangers might just be the perfect time for a few home truths to shared alongside some much-needed recuperation.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (3-5-2): Johnstone; Ajayi, Clarke, Bartley; Furlong, Townsend, Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Mowatt (Molumby 87); Grant (Diangana 84), C. Robinson (Carroll 77). Subs (not used): Palmer, O'Shea, Kipre, Reach, Diangana, Carroll.

BOOKED: Molumby.

GOAL: C. Robinson (63).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Williams (Muniz 81), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Chalobah, Reed (Cairney 72); Wilson, Decordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 72), Carvalho; Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Seri.

BOOKED: Williams.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/03/robinson-ruins-fulhams-unbeaten-away-run/

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Liverpool set £23m asking price as Fulham plan double raid in summer transfer window
FULHAM are plotting a double raid on Liverpool this summer - to capture both Neco Williams and Joe Gomez.

The runaway Championship leaders are on the verge of being promoted straight back to the Premier League, with a strong lead  over third-placed Huddersfield.

Wales full-back Williams has been a huge hit at Craven Cottage since joining Fulham on loan from Liverpool for the rest of the season in January - and the Londoners are keen to work out another possible loan deal to keep him for next season in the top flight - or even a permanent deal.

But Fulham are also interested in centre-back Gomez, who has started only one league game this season at Anfield, and has slipped down the pecking order with the arrival of Ibrahima Konate, starting only one league game so far this season.

England defender Gomez, who started his career at Charlton, is though rated at around £23 million by Liverpool, and that could prove a stumbling block for the London club.

And 24 year old Gomez's situation is also being closely watched by West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham.

The English defender had originally staked his claim as Klopp's preferred choice to play alongside Virgil van Dijk before his injury in November 2020. But Joel Matip has cemented his place in the starting line-up this season with Konate the preferred third-choice. However, Klopp insisted back in December that he still values Gomez as a huge part of Liverpool's future.

"So, it was obviously not the best year for Joe with the injury and then coming back and having another injury because that's how it can go," Klopp said previously. "We didn't rush his recovery or rehab from the tendon injury, but when you start playing again and training again and all these kinds of things after long term - [and] we had then four 100 per cent fit centre-halves, which is why it is not so easy to get game time immediately - then you have game time, then you play and then the body is not ready for it and that's it.

"We are patient and I think Joe is patient now as well, that's the situation. I don't have any plans to give anybody on loan in the winter, so I will not be the driving force, let me say it like this. Nobody came to me and asked if they could go somewhere. Joe is now only back for a proper week or so, but because of the circumstances and things like this he could be involved in the squad, but he still needs time. He needs time to train, to get where he has been before."



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1581187/Liverpool-transfer-news-Fulham-Joe-Gomez-Neco-Williams-Jurgen-Klopp

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Shirt Auction For Ukraine

The shirts worn by the Fulham players in Tuesday's fixture against West Bromwich Albion will be put up for auction to raise funds for Ukraine.

The boys will be wearing our yellow third strip at the Hawthorns, and each of their signed match-worn tops will be made available for fans to bid on.

All funds raised will go to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, in association with the British Red Cross and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

The auction will open at kick-off (8pm) on Tuesday, running until 2pm on Saturday 2nd April. The auction will be hosted via this link.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/march/14/shirt-auction-for-ukraine/

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Mitro Wins PFA Player of the Month!

After scoring six goals in five matches, Aleksandar Mitrović has been voted PFA Fans' Player of the Month for February.

Millwall (2), Hull, Peterborough (2) and Cardiff all fell victim to Mitro's proficiency in front of goal, in a month which saw him become the most prolific scorer ever in a Championship season.

With more than 30,000 votes cast, Mitrović claimed 28 per cent of the vote to secure his fourth PFA trophy of the campaign. And with Harry Wilson winning the January accolade, it means five of the six awards this season have gone to Fulham players.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/march/15/mitro-wins-pfa-player-of-the-month/

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Liverpool put £23m price tag on Gomez

Liverpool have placed a £23m price tag on England centre half Joe Gomez who is emerging as Fulham's leading summer transfer target.

The Daily Express reports this evening that Jurgen Klopp recognises that an auction come occur for the 24 year-old centre back's signature this summer as he looks to secure the first-team football that has eluded him of late at Anfield. Gomez is keen to remain in Gareth Southgate's plans for the World Cup at the end of the year and will need to play regularly in the Premier League which has led him to consider his future on Merseyside.

The ball playing centre back has made just five league appearances for Liverpool this season have slipped behind Ibrahim Konate in the pecking order for Klopp this season – and Marco Silva wants Fulham to make a serious effort to lure the centre half back to the capital. Gomez is believed to be at the top of Fulham's list of potential additions in central defence as they prepare for another tilt at the top flight.

Fulham are likely to face competition from Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham but believe they could offer Gomez a guaranteed starting spot alongside Tosin Adarabioyo at the heart of their back four. The Cottagers are confident of securing a second loan deal with Liverpool for Neco Williams, who has been in sensational form since joining Silva's side at the end of January, but they haven't ruled out testing Liverpool's resolve to keep hold of their Welsh international right back with a permanent bid.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/03/liverpool-put-23m-price-tag-on-gomez/

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'We didn't turn up,' says Silva

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ryan Browne/Shutterstock (12850285bm) Marco Silva Manager of Fulham. West Bromwich Albion v Fulham, EFL Sky Bet Championship, Football, Hawthornes, West Bromwich, UK – 15 Mar 2022

Marco Silva slammed a poor performance as his Fulham side slumped to their first away defeat in twelve games tonight at West Bromwich Albion.

The Championship leaders were well below par at the Hawthorns this evening and were indebted to goalkeeper Marek Rodak for keeping the scores level at half time. Their luck run out in the second half when an error from full back Antonee Robinson allowed Callum Robinson to grab the winner for the Baggies.

Silva was particularly damning about Fulham's insipid first half display when he spoke to the press after the final whistle:

"It wasn't good enough. The first half, we weren't here. It was just our shirts which were on the pitch first half, because we were not here. I don't want to be unfair to West Bromwich, because they did their best and they deserved to win the match. But first half we were not on the pitch.

We didn't express ourselves, we didn't play in our way. They did everything we were expecting, nothing new. Marek kept us in the game with some saves in the first half. Second half was a little bit different, we were more ourselves, although not with the quality that we've shown this season.

We reacted after the goal, we started to play, we pushed them back. Okay, they sat back a little bit as well, but we started. We didn't have a big number of chances but we had two or three dangerous moments, a big chance for Mitro that should equalise the game. But it was not enough."

They deserved the three points more than us, but what's made the difference for us so far this season is the way we are reacting as a team. It's good for us that we haven't had a big number of bad moments, but every time when we have a bad performance or bad result, we are reacting in a fantastic way. This is what we have to do again."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/03/we-didnt-turn-up-says-silva/