Monday Fulham Stuff - 18/04/02...

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Emiliano Marcondes requested to play in Bournemouth's development squad game against Fulham

Scott Parker confirmed the midfielder asked to feature in the friendly having struggled for regular game time

Scott Parker has revealed Emiliano Marcondes asked to play in Bournemouth's development squad friendly with Fulham last week.

Marcondes, along with fellow first-team members James Hill and Gavin Kilkenny, went on to play the full duration of the 1-2 loss at Canford, with the Dane registering an assist.

It is the second time Marcondes had approached the club's coaching staff over the possibility of playing for Shaun Cooper's side. In November, having initially struggled for game time following the return of Jefferson Lerma, the 27-year-old asked to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly away to Wycombe.

"He asked to play," Parker told DorsetLive. "Emi wanted to play and have a game. I think it probably speaks volumes for me. I've said it many times, it is not easy for me to make those decisions to leave them out and disappoint players.

"It's very difficult. Certainly people like Emi who give everything, who want to improve and have contributed. He wanted to play so fair play to him."

Marcondes hasn't featured for the first-team since March 8, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 home draw with Peterborough. Since then, the former Brentford player has been left out of the previous five matchday squads, despite travelling with the team for two of the three away games.

"When you get your opportunity, you need to be at the right levels," added Parker. "In the sort of level of game we're going into, you need to make sure that you are at a certain physical and mental level so that you can come in and perform.

"Those boys played in the week just because of that. They wanted game time and there is no better thing than having 90 minutes. Each one of them is working hard and waiting for their opportunity. I'm sure that opportunity will come because there are so many games left to play."



https://www.dorset.live/sport/football/football-news/emiliano-marcondes-requested-play-bournemouths-6963536

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Alan Nixon shares insight on Fulham's pursuit of Liverpool's Neco Williams, says the Welshman could move if clubs can agree a fee

A report from The Sun has played up Fulham's chances of signing Liverpool's Neco Williams this summer, with the Reds now eyeing Aberdeen full-back Calvin Ramsay.

Liverpool's Williams, 21, joined Fulham on loan from Liverpool in the January transfer window.

Since, the Welsh international has featured 12 times in the Championship for Fulham, scoring twice and assisting as many.

It's been reported that Fulham are keen on bringing Williams back to the club this summer and separate reports have claimed that the player himself is keen on making the move.

And now, a report from The Sun has revealed that Liverpool are targeting Ramsey as back up to Trent Alexander-Arnold, which in turn suggests that the Reds could be preparing to offload Williams this summer.

The Sun's Alan Nixon writes:

"The interest also points to Liverpool being willing to sell Welshman Neco Williams, who has gone to Fulham on loan and could make a permanent exit.

"Williams could head for Craven Cottage and a Premier League career if the clubs can agree a fee."

The price tag...

Reports have already suggested that Fulham would need to pay Liverpool upwards of £12million for Williams this summer.
Given some of Liverpool's previous player sales, and how well Williams has been performing so far at Fulham, that price tag isn't too bad.
But expect the potential transfer to be a little more difficult that a simple £12million transfer fee – if Fulham earn promotion and Williams continues to impress then the Reds could easily ask for much more than £12million, and there could be plenty more teams interested in the Welshman too.
Up next for Fulham is a home game v Preston North End on Tuesday night.



https://the72.co.uk/270636/alan-nixon-shares-insight-on-fulhams-pursuit-of-liverpools-neco-williams-says-the-welshman-could-move-if-clubs-can-agree-a-fee/

[WhiteJC]

Putting the pieces together

For 45 minutes, Fulham looked on course to have a very Good Friday. Fabio Carvalho's fabulous opener appeared to have put Marco Silva's men on the cusp of clinching promotion from the Championship at Derby, which would have been very special indeed. Things fall apart rather spectacularly in a supine second half and, whilst securing a spot in next season's Premier League remains a relative formality, there are plenty of points to ponder for the Portuguese coach as he plots a more successful survival bid than Fulham's last two efforts.

Silva should shoulder some of the blame for how Fulham threw away a winning position at Pride Park on Friday. His substitutions were puzzling, especially as the ineffectual Bobby Decordova-Reid lasted the full ninety minutes. Harry Wilson was nowhere near his best but sacrificing him for Neeskens Kebano seemed strange and the removal of Tom Cairney – probably fitness related after the skipper's recent spell on the sidelines – left Jean Michael Seri and Harrison Reed getting in each other's way in central midfield. Nobody made a compelling case for inclusion in the 25-man Premier League squad in a depressing display in Derbyshire, whilst some might have played their way out of Silva's thoughts altogether.

The Sunday papers seem to suggest that reinforcements will soon arrive. We know that Manor Solomon should be one of them, with the Israeli winger having agreed a five-year deal to end his spell with Shakhtar Donetsk, having been rushed into Poland when the Russians invaded Ukraine. The red tops have previously linked Fulham with a host of goalkeepers and they are at 'the front of the queue' to sign Dean Henderson, according to Alan Nixon, who also believes an agreement with Liverpool is likely on a permanent deal for Neco Williams. Fulham are certainly in the hunt for a new left back, with Arthur Masuaku – who won the Greek title under Silva at Olympiakos – under strong consideration.

The Mail claims that Silva wants six first-team signings this summer and resurrects reports of a move for Dwight McNeill, although the talented winger will surely be able to pick his destination should Burnley plummet following the mad decision to dispense with Sean Dyche yesterday. More intriguing is the mention of interest in Mexican midfielder Erick Gutiérrez, who has made just four league appearances at PSV Eindhoven this term, and is out of contract next summer. He would be the archetypical ball-winning midfielder that this Fulham squad sorely lacks and ballast in front of a reshaped back four will be essential. Silva's lack of dynamism in the engine room has been shown up by some poor performances from Nathaniel Chalobah in recent weeks and the fact that Josh Onomah has become an option off the bench again.

There's no doubt that the Whites will enter the market for a few centre halves this summer – whatever happens with Tim Ream come the end of the campaign. There are also issues at the other end of the pitch, with Rodrigo Muniz still looking rather raw to be relied upon as Aleksandar Mitrovic's understudy. Jay Stansfield, deployed as a number ten in the under 23s since the turn of the year, is a ruthless finisher but it is probably a bit early to consider him a cast-iron Carvalho replacement and class in the hole will cost big bucks.

An unabashed adventurer, it is difficult to Silva substantially changing his tactics in the top flight. That will mean the acquisitions will have to be of a calibre that Fulham haven't mustered following either of their two previous promotions – and deals will need to be done early to allow new arrivals familiarity with such a demanding playing style. The imminent promotion should remove the unedifying prospect of a late August trolley-dash after the continent in search of signings, but as we have learnt from the last two all too brief stays, the Premier League is an unforgiving place to play catch up.

You can make a case for five of Fulham's regular starters (Williams, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reed and Wilson) being Premier League quality, even if the Manchester-moulded centre half has had a couple of shockers of late. The worrying thing is that might be very, very generous. Williams remains electric in the final third but susceptible defensively like almost every modern full back, whilst Reed looked like the last relegation side's best player in a basic system that depended on his endeavour. Wilson enjoyed an excellent individual season in a Bournemouth team that went down – and he won't get the sort of space to switch on that lovely left foot that has enjoyed in the second tier.

Silva steadfastly believes he was hard done to at Everton and wants to prove his point in the Premier League. There will need to be improvements from him, as well, if the Whites are to consign the yo-yo barbs to the bin. He remains far too reactive as games drift away from his side – an early criticism of Roy Hodgson, especially when it came to substitutions as I recall – and will need to modify that all-out-attack style to something slightly more pragmatic to avoid Fulham being punished in transition by pacey Premier League attacks.

There's certainly plenty to do, but some of the overreaction to the first set of back-to-back defeats over the Easter weekend did make me smile. Fulham have only ever won six league titles in their history – and two of those were the Southern League within ten years of the club's foundation – and this team remains handily placed to lift the silverware ahead of Scott Parker. They have been exceptional this season, playing some spellbinding football at times, and if the comparisons with Jean Tigana's artisans were a little far-fetched, it is worth remembering that Mohamed Al-Fayed's millions were able to assemble a squad packed with Premiership quality without being hampered by any Financial Fair Play considerations. Silva has shifted his side's philosophy entirely in nine months and delivered outstanding results. The party will come soon, but clear heads will be required to plot the path forward.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/putting-the-pieces-together/

[WhiteJC]

Games for Easter Monday 18/04
Yet another moved game, we should have welcomed Preston to the Cottage for a 3 o'clock Monday kick-off but it's been moved to Tuesday evening at 19:45

Well, Derby managed to spoil the party again, like many I've still not forgotten '83. Loosing two games in a row hasn't happened this season so I can't really complain too much but still do, this is Fulham after all.

So if Forest don't win against West Brom then we'll be promoted, I'd much rather we get the win against Preston, nothing against Preston but I think it would be "better" for us to gain promotion with a win rather than by another team loosing?

I would also prefer that Mitro gets the goal that secures promotion, just to further cement him into the Fulham archives.

Our performances have been below where we were earlier in the season, hopefully Marko will have worked his magic to re galvanise the squad.

Current Form:
Fulham – LWWLL
Preston NE – LLWWD

Our recent record against Preston is very good with 5 wins, 1 loss and 3 draws

My team would be

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Monday 18th
Rovers v Stoke
Bristol City v Sheff Utd
Cardiff v Luton
Coventry v Bournemouth
Middlesborough v Huddersfield
Millwall v Hull
Forest v West Brom
QPR v Derby

Tuesday 19th
Fulham v Preston NE

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=2033

[WhiteJC]

Preview: Fulham vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Fulham will welcome Preston North End to Craven Cottage in the Championship on Tuesday knowing that a victory would see them secure a return to the Premier League for the 2022-23 campaign.

The Cottagers missed the chance to seal promotion on Friday, as they lost 2-1 at relegation-threatened Derby County, while 13th-placed Preston will enter this contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Millwall.

Match preview
Fulham appeared to be heading towards securing three points against Derby on Friday, with Fabio Carvalho making the breakthrough in the 20th minute of the contest, but the Rams turned the match around in the second period, meaning that the Cottagers are still waiting for their promotion to be finalised.

Marco Silva's side would guarantee a top-two finish with a victory over Preston on Tuesday, and they are also in a commanding position when it comes to winning the league, sitting nine points clear of second-placed Bournemouth, although the Cherries have one match in hand.

Fulham have lost three of their last five Championship matches, though, including their last two against Coventry City and Derby, while they were also beaten at West Bromwich Albion in the middle of last month.

That said, it has been an excellent season for the capital outfit, who have won 25, drawn eight and lost eight of their 41 league matches, scoring 95 times in the process, with Aleksandar Mitrovic registering 38 times in 39 matches in the second tier during a brilliant campaign.

The Cottagers have the second-best home record in the Championship this season, picking up 40 points from 20 matches, which is only bettered by Blackburn Rovers (41), and they will be taking on a Preston side with only the 14th-best away record in the second tier, picking up just 24 points from their 21 matches.

Preston, meanwhile, will enter Tuesday's contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Millwall on Friday, with Murray Wallace scoring at both ends of the field during a tight match at Deepdale.

Ryan Lowe's side are currently 13th in the table, seven points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United, meaning that they are still in the mix for a playoff spot, but it will take some effort for them to secure a top-six finish.

It seems more likely that Preston will finish in the middle of the division, although their recent form has been encouraging, picking up seven points from their last three matches, beating Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers before sharing the points with Millwall last time out.

The Lilywhites, who finished 13th in the second tier last term, have only picked up two points from their last four away league games, though, and it is their form on their travels that could ultimately cost them the chance to move closer to the top six before the end of the month.

Preston suffered a 2-0 defeat when they last travelled to Fulham in February 2020, while the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Deepdale earlier this season.

Fulham Championship form:

    D    L    W    W    L    L

Preston North End Championship form:

    D    L    L    W    W    D


Team News
Fulham will once again be without the services of Terence Kongolo through injury on Tuesday, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape, with the league leaders not suffering any fresh concerns against Derby.

Head coach Silva will resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, but Antonee Robinson may come into the starting side at left-back, while Nathaniel Chalobah could feature in central midfield.

There are unlikely to be any alterations in the final third of the field, though, with Harry Wilson, Carvalho and Bobby Reid supporting leading goalscorer Mitrovic.

As for Preston, Emil Riis missed out against Millwall through injury and is also facing a fight to be available for this match, with a spot on the bench the most likely scenario.

Isaiah Brown and Tom Barkhuizen are still out through injury, meanwhile, but there are expected to be changes from the side that started against Millwall.

Ched Evans appeared off the bench against the Lions after returning from a fitness issue and could now come back into the starting side, while Ali McCann could also be rotated into the XI.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Williams, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Chalobah, Reed; Wilson, Carvalho, Reid; Mitrovic

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Berg, Bauer, Hughes; McCann, Browne, Whiteman, Cunningham; Johnson; Evans, Archer

We say: Fulham 2-1 Preston North End

Fulham have lost their last two Championship matches, meaning that Preston could be facing the capital outfit at the wrong time. There appears to be some nerves in the Craven Cottage camp at the moment, but we are expecting the home side to secure the points they require to seal promotion to the Premier League.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/championship-promotion-race/preview/preview-fulham-vs-preston-prediction-team-news-lineups_483562.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham linked with summer swoop for Premier League winger

With promotion all but confirmed, Fulham are looking ahead to the summer as they look to bolster their side in the Premier League.

Fulham have struggled in the Premier League in their last two seasons in the top flight with recruitment being a major issue. However, they are looking to get ahead of their rivals and bolster their squad early.

Manor Soloman has already been confirmed with the Israeli international joining from Shakhter Donetsk for a reported fee of £6.3m.

They're not stopping there with Burnley's Dwight McNeill being the latest name linked to the Cottagers.

McNeil is highly rated and it would take a a sizeable fee to bring the winger into Craven Cottage, but it's a name their considering according to the Daily Mail.

Other players that Fulham are reportedly looking at bringing in are PSV's Erick Gutierrez and Folarin Balogun from Arsenal.

They will also try and persuade Liverpool to allow Neco Williams to join permanently.

Silva do still need to secure promotion though, which they failed to do in their 2-1 defeat to Derby on Friday night but that won't matter should Nottingham Forest drop points to West Brom on Monday.

The Verdict

Fulham need to plan their campaign in more detail than they have in previous seasons.

Their scattergun approach in recent years has put the club back somewhat and having a more methodical, conservative outlook on recruitment will ensure the club doesn't risk emptying their pockets for average players once again.

With Fabio Carvalho leaving, they will certainly need more spark in the final third, and McNeil could fill that role, with his record for Burnley suggesting he will be capable of making an impact in the Premier League.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-linked-with-summer-swoop-for-premier-league-winger/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Premier League Promotion Will Underline The EFL's Parachute Problem

Fulham FC stands on the brink of a return to the Premier League after just one season away.

With just 3 games remaining the West Londoners stand, as they have done for much of the season, well clear of the rest of the pack.

Should results go Fulham's way on Monday promotion will be confirmed, if they do not, they'll have the opportunity to do it for themselves against Preston North End the following evening.

Sensibly, manager Marco Silva has played down talk of the club breaking records or making plans for life in the top flight, despite both being in touching distance.

He's also been forced to address a slightly unusual topic for a potential title winner; the idea that it's all been a bit easy.

"This is the Championship, nothing is guaranteed," the Portuguese coach has said, "Because of that, I have to congratulate my players every time [they win a game].

"It's not easy to have this type of mentality every single time, to be ruthless in the right moments.

"To be able to win football matches, even when you don't perform so well. Sometimes it doesn't look really tough, but I know that it is really tough to create this type of situation."

But the reality is some Fulham's players have, at times, looked a class above the rest of the division.

Alexander Mitrovic has scored a remarkable 38 times this season, smashing the record tally achieved by Brentford's Ivan Toney last year.

The Serb's goal haul has seen him shortlisted for EFL Player of the Season alongside strike partner Harry Wilson. Fulham's other outstanding attacker, Fabio Carvalho, is the frontrunner for the Young Player of the Season prize.

Fulham's superiority in the Championship this year has a great deal to do with the clubbing in a position to strengthen its squad following relegation from the Premier League.

Wilson arrived from Liverpool for a $16.45 million fee while Rodrigo Muniz joined for $9.4 million. The club also welcomed back $35 million record signing Jean Michel Seri after a series of loans.

The only departure of note was Andre Anguissa, who left for Napoli on a temporary basis. But his absence was more than made up for by Fulham snapping up Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah on a free.

It used to be that when a club was relegated from the Premier League the most talented players were cherry-picked by those above them. Teams were forced to sell off their most desirable assets to cover the cost of going down.

But for a side like Fulham that simply isn't the case anymore. The wealth generated by a stint in the Premier League provides an advantage so great it's hard for others to compete.

So many yo-yos
Fulham's canter to the title will be its third promotion in five years, making it the definition of the term 'yo-yo club'-too good for the division below, but not at the required standard for the level up.

The Whites are far from the only side to occupy this space, historically there have been many clubs across the English pyramid caught in an in-between division existence.

What's concerning for the English game is that, increasingly, at the top of the Championship there's not just one yo-yo club, but several.

Norwich City and Watford are both on course for relegation. If they do go down it will be the second time they have been relegated together, having both successfully won promotion last season.

If they are relegated Norwich will clock up four years between the two divisions.

The manner in which they have returned to the top flight each time is also a cause for concern.

Norwich City's past two promotion seasons have been absolutely dominant. But after winning the league with ease they've suffered an equally embarrassing relegation from the Premier League.

The Canaries are not alone in this, Fulham's breeze to the EFL title comes off the back of finishing 11 points clear of safety in the top division.

These are not sides who have been relegated by a narrow margin and are therefore clearly far closer to the superior Premier League level. So why are they so much better than what's below?

The answer, like many things in modern soccer, lies in money.

Playing the parachute payment
Fulham, Watford, Norwich City and indeed the other likely candidate for promotion this year, Bournemouth, have benefitted from 'parachute payments'-a percentage of the Premier League broadcasting rights handed to relegated clubs by the top division to soften the blow of demotion.

Issued over three years, this initiative sees relegated clubs get 55% of their previous earnings in the first year, 45% in the second and, if the club was in the top flight for more than one season before going down, 20% in the third.

It's a concept based on sensible principles, the revenue gap between the top division and the league below is so large teams need to be supported in their downsizing.

The problem is, that as the Premier League's earnings have continued to rise exponentially, the parachute payment gives relegated clubs a significant advantage over their rivals.

Rather than using the money to make sensible long-term plans, teams can fund top-level wages for longer or invest in talent, as Fulham has done.

Research by Sheffield Hallam University released last month suggested the system continued to "distort Championship competition" and found clubs with parachute payments are three times more likely to be promoted than those without them.

A key driver in this has been the average value of parachute payments for each club per season going up substantially, from $16.7 million between 2006 and 2015 to $38.53 million over the last five years.

In an interview with the Daily Mail about the study one of the researchers, Dr. Rob Wilson said the current system was not only damaging competition it was also causing financial trouble at other clubs.

"The payments force other clubs over-stretching themselves to try to keep up, which leads to financial instability and the danger of them going bust," he said.

"The whole system is broken. The parachute money should be ring-fenced and redistributed more equally across the whole of the EFL."

Time for change?
Managers in the Championship have pointed out that the study provides further evidence of what they could already see clearly with their own eyes.

"Something needs to be done about it because of the advantages that it gives clubs," said Middlesborough manager Chris Wilder.

"I think when you looked at the start of the season, anybody who knows the division would have said Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United would be huge favorites to go back up, along with Bournemouth who came down the season before.

"Two out of the four are, one is knocking on the door and the other is just outside it. There is always a little bit more to it than just money, but it also is a huge advantage."

Wilder's calls for action will be well received at the EFL, the view of the body, that represents the three divisions below the top flight, is that parachute payments "are not a form of solidarity; they distort the financial eco-system and increase the gap between the Championship and Premier League."

And according to reports in British newspapers, talks are ongoing between the Premier League and EFL to overhaul the system.

Whether that involves the scrapping of the parachute payments is another matter, however.

There would need to be agreement from the Premier League to make the decision and clubs that face the possibility of relegation are unlikely to vote to remove an important protection. The number who fear the drop is also in the majority.

Why would Fulham or Bournemouth reject a system which has enabled them to keep their best players and make a quick return to the Premier League?

But equally, why would a side like Brentford, who's never been in the Premier League before this season, or Everton, that has never been relegated but are at risk of the drop currently? It's in none of their interests to do so.

That's the problem with a gap so wide you need a parachute to make it down safely. If you are standing at the bottom, all the equipment the people have to break their fall looks pretty unfair. But get to the top, peer over the edge and you quickly start to think that a plummeting to the bottom with no help is wrong.



https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakgarnerpurkis/2022/04/17/fulhams-premier-league-promotion-will-underline-the-efls-parachute-problem/?sh=7c04f85b2904

[WhiteJC]

Championship permutations: How Fulham and Bournemouth can win promotion to the Premier League
Fulham are running away with the Championship title but elsewhere the race for promotion is looking agonisingly tight


Fulham are on the verge of promotion back to the Premier League (Photo: PA)

It tells you everything you need to know about the Championship promotion fight's brutal final rounds that of the division's top ten teams, just two emerged victorious on Good Friday.

The final sprint of a marathon season often does this. Think Leeds United's gravity-defying collapse of 2019, when an inexplicable home defeat to Wigan let in Sheffield United. Or, further back in the annals of history, Wolverhampton Wanderers ceding promotion to bitter rivals West Brom in a choke for the ages in 2001.

This season it's even tighter, with even more teams stumbling. Bournemouth sit second but few in the South West are particularly enamoured with the way Scott Parker's team are playing. They have gone three games without scoring and, more damningly, racked up just four shots on target in the same period.

If they are to go up, it will be as a result of winning a war of attrition that has left few at Dean Court feeling triumphant.

Parker admitted that his team were "edgy" and played with "anxiety" during the first half of a barren draw against Middlesbrough on Friday, which left them vulnerable to Huddersfield or even, at a stretch, Luton Town closing in over the final few weeks of a bruising campaign.

They remain in the box seat, with two games in hand over the Terriers, but travel to Coventry before welcoming the Championship's runaway leaders Fulham at the weekend.

"The games are ticking off. If you can't win then don't lose," Parker said after Friday's 0-0. They have two games in hand and caution may yet see them succeed in their mission of returning to the Premier League but they should be wary of teams below them gathering momentum and prepared of taking more risks.

Take Chris Wilder, for example. The Middlesbrough manager reckons he is more of a "gambler" when he manages in the second tier and he may need those instincts in Monday's biggest game in the Championship.

A 12.30pm kick off at the Riverside pitches Wilder's 7th placed Middlesbrough against Carlos Corberan's Huddersfield who are still, improbably, in contention for an automatic promotion which felt very unlikely indeed before the start of the season.

It is now or never for both teams, who drew on Friday. With budgets still recovering from the hammering they took from Covid, and clubs coming down that have experience of navigating a full Championship season, next season may look very different.

As if to prove a point Wilder raised eyebrows after Friday's draw at Bournemouth by offering an equivocal response to suggestions that he could be Burnley's next manager. i understands the Clarets are looking elsewhere at the moment, but Wilder hardly distanced himself with any force at the weekend.

"I've not looked at it," he said. "Sean is a pal of mine. I think he'll understand it in terms of how the industry is and there has obviously been a decision made. I'm not going to come out with anything in terms of this, that or the other. My head is down and I'm thinking, 'onto Monday'."

Perhaps – given Burnley's struggles – Wilder would be better off sticking at Boro, a club that will allow him to build something even if they don't go up.

    Who needs what?

    Promotion

        Fulham can go up with a win over Preston tomorrow or if Forest lose to West Brom tonight. 
        Two wins for Bournemouth this week (they play on Monday and Saturday) would be enough to take them up if Nottingham Forest lose twice (they are playing on the same days), Luton drop any points and Huddersfield also lose

    Relegation

        Barnsley are down, if they lose to Peterborough while Reading beat Swansea on Monday
        Derby and Peterborough go down on Monday if their results are bettered by Reading.

    Key fixtures

        Monday 18 April – Middlesbrough vs Huddersfield
        Monday 18 April – Coventry vs Bournemouth
        Monday 18 April – Cardiff vs Luton
        Tuesday 19 April – Fulham vs Preston
        Friday 22 April – Huddersfield vs Barnsley
        Saturday 23 April – Luton vs Blackpool
        Saturday 23 April – Bournemouth vs Fulham

For Huddersfield, this campaign has been a remarkable one. Corberan, who is mystifyingly not linked with some of the bigger jobs going, has recalibrated the club's "Terrier spirit" and they refuse to give up on a top two slot. They are better at home so anything from the Riverside will be a huge bonus.

Luton head to Cardiff with an outside chance of automatic promotion while Blackburn, after a vertiginous collapse, are drinking in last chance saloon for the play-offs as they take on Stoke.

At the bottom, Reading's win at Bramall Lane extended the gap to nine points and leaves little room for error for Derby and Peterborough, who play fellow basement battlers Barnsley.

For Wayne Rooney's County the priority is to sort out off-the-field matters. Chris Kirchner insists he will close out a deal that will secure their future in the coming weeks. Mike Ashley waits in the wings.



https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/championship-permutations-fulham-how-many-points-bournemouth-promotion-premier-league-1580738?ITO=newsnow

[WhiteJC]

London club already hoping to sign exciting Arsenal talent this summer

Fulham are interested in snapping up Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun on loan this summer as they prepare for life in the Premier League.

That's according to the Daily Mail, who suggest that Fulham are already planning their transfer targets for life back in the top flight.

Fulham aren't actually up yet but a win over Preston North End on Tuesday night will secure a return to the Premier League.

With four bites at the cherry, Fulham are almost certainly set for promotion.

The Mail now claim that Fulham are already eyeing up signings including Burnley's Dwight McNeil and PSV Eindhoven's Erick Gutierrez.

One interesting target named is Balogun, with Fulham seeking to bring him to Craven Cottage on loan for next season.

Fulham already have a goal machine striker in Aleksandar Mitrovic but Balogun may now be targeted to offer cover behind the Serbian.

Balogun is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he has bagged three goals and two assists in 15 games.

The 20-year-old striker has huge talent but maybe isn't quite ready to be playing regularly for Arsenal.

The next logical step is for Balogun to head off for a Premier League loan spell and Fulham are prepared to offer that.

One thing that may dent Fulham's hopes is that Arsenal's own striking situation is in flux ahead of the summer window.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract this summer and look set to leave.

Balogun may therefore be needed in pre-season as Arsenal's main striker, at least until they can bring in a couple of new attackers.

That may delay a move to Fulham, but Balogun may still be allowed to swap North London for West London this summer.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/04/18/arsenal-fulham-folarin-balogun/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen on signing Middlesbrough loan man Folarin Balogun from Arsenal

Fulham are keen on a move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun this summer, as per a report by the Daily Mail.

Fulham have identified the attacker as a potential loan addition ahead of next season.

Balogun, 20, is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough after linking up with Chris Wilder's side in the January transfer window.

The youngster was given the green light to leave the Gunners this past winter to get some more experience under his belt and has since made 17 appearances for Boro in all competitors, chipping in with three goals.

Fulham planning for next season

Fulham are only a single win away from the Premier League and will be eager to ensure that they get their recruitment right this summer.

Balogun would give them more competition and depth up top and he has a big point to prove as he hasn't quite lived up to the hype on loan at Middlesbrough yet.

The England youth international has risen up through the academy with the Gunners and has played a handful of times for their first-team so far.

However, his pathway into their senior side is currently blocked due to the abundance of top quality options they have up top at the moment, hence why he was allowed to leave for the Riverside Stadium.

The New York-born man may find it tough again to get into Mikel Arteta's side when he returns there this summer so another loan exit to Fulham would suit all parties involved in the next transfer window.



https://the72.co.uk/270747/fulham-keen-on-signing-middlesbrough-loan-man-folarin-balogun-from-arsenal/

[WhiteJC]

Ryan Lowe is seeing Preston North End's style of football emerge as his focus turns to Fulham clash
Ryan Lowe thinks there are clear signs of progress from Preston North End's squad in playing the style of football he wants.

Although frustrated to have only got a point from Friday's clash with Millwall at Deepdale, PNE manager Lowe felt some of the football his side played was very good.

Lowe's tenure has seen North End collect 33 points from 21 Championship games, with tomorrow's trip to Craven Cottage to play league leaders Fulham the next challenge.

It promises to be a big night on the bank of the River Thames with the Cottagers going in search of the win which would see them promoted back to the Premier League.

Lowe told the Lancashire Post: "You can see how we are trying to play, what we are trying to do.

"We are probably making between 400 and 500 passes a game now which is pleasing, we're a football-based team which is my philosophy.

"The lads have bought into that, it's exciting isn't it?

"I don't want us to play long football or into someone and off them, I want to play a brand of football which has been successful for me before.

"You can see what we are asking the players to do, just at times there is that last bit of quality missing, the final pass.

"Sometimes taking an extra touch would help, sometimes it is a case of making a pass a bit quicker."

North End look likely to be without Alan Browne for the Fulham game, the skipper having been substituted in the 29th minute on Friday after taking a bang on the glute muscle.

They had a ready-made replacement in Ali McCann on the bench who came on and played very well in Browne's attacking midfield role.

Brad Potts didn't last the full game having returned to the side after a stomach bug. But he should be available tomorrow night.

Lowe said: "I thought Ali was fantastic when he came on. Browney wasn't right with the injury so Ali was next on the roster.

"Pottsy did great out there after being ill and missing the last game. We knew he wouldn't last the full game so we put Josh Murphy in the wing-back role later on. It's good that we've got lads waiting for their chance."



https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/ryan-lowe-is-seeing-preston-north-ends-style-of-football-emerge-as-his-focus-turns-to-fulham-clash-3657169

[gang]

Bit of a shock, we will be without the services of Kongola on Tuesday because of injury; when is he never injured?