Saturday Fulham Stuff - 07/05/22...

[WhiteJC]

Robinson starts: The predicted Sheffield United XI to face Fulham on Saturday

Sheffield United have an absolutely massive clash this weekend against Fulham, with the Blades battling for a spot in the top six.

The Championship play-off race will go all the way down to the final fixtures – and a win for the club here over the Cottagers would see them cement a place in that top six. A draw could do it too based on results elsewhere but a loss and a Middlesbrough win would see them miss out.

There is a lot riding on this fixture then, as well as several of the other second tier games. Paul Heckingbottom will need to make sure he gets it right then against Fulham, who will not be pushovers.

Marco Silva's side may have already bagged the title and a promotion but they won't want to end the season with a whimper. That means Sheffield United will need to be at the peak of their powers – and here is how they could line up.

Considering the injuries that Sheffield United are dealing with, there is likely to be an unchanged squad from the team that beat QPR 3-1 last time out for the Fulham game.

The main area of concern for the Blades is in attack. Billy Sharp is ruled out for a few weeks at least, whilst Rhian Brewster has been out of action for a considerable amount of time already. That means that Iliman Ndiaye is left to lead the line – and the 22-year-old has done okay in the interim, even bagging a goal against the Hoops.

Behind the forward line, Morgan Gibbs-White has been one of Sheffield United's standout players during his time on loan and Sander Berge has likewise been impressive in the second tier. If both are match fit, they are guaranteed starters.

In the middle of the field, John Fleck continues to be influential with five key passes against QPR and Oli Norwood matched that stat himself alongside him. Both are also likely to feature if they can. Enda Stevens has played in only 21 games this season but is likely to play on the left flank again here and Ben Osborn on the right is the same.

Finally, at the back, Jack Robinson bagged a goal last time out and has formed a solid partnership with John Egan and Chris Basham. All three know what it takes to keep the opposition out at this level and can do the same against Fulham. To top the team off, Wes Foderingham has 17 clean sheets in 31 games and will be hoping for one more this weekend.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/robinson-starts-the-predicted-sheffield-united-xi-to-face-fulham-on-saturday/

[WhiteJC]

Sheffield United: James Shield's team to beat Fulham and reach the Championship-play-offs
The final game of Sheffield United's season. But not, if Paul Heckingbottom and his side get their way, the last battle of what has been a long and predictably eventful campaign at Bramall Lane.

Sixteenth in the Championship when he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic in November, Heckingbottom's team know that a win over Fulham later today will guarantee them a place in the end of term play-offs. Even a draw or defeat could be enough, depending on results elsewhere in the division. But let's not go there.

United enter this match fifth in the table and on the back of a courageous victory over Queens Park Rangers. Their opponents, Fulham, are already assured of the title and thrashed sixth-placed Luton Town earlier this week.

The Star's James Shield selects his ideal starting eleven and bench for what promises to be a nerve-shredding contest against the best squad in the division.

The Eleven: Foderingham, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Stevens, Norwood, Fleck, Berge, Gibbs-White, Ndiaye.

The Substitutes: A Davies, B Davies, Norrington-Davies, Uremovic, Osborn, Hourihane, Osula.

The Thinking: United beat Fulham - and achieved the almost impossible by preventing Aleksandar Mitrovic from scoring - when they visited Craven Cottage in December. So, personally, I'd go with a team which can provide a similar dynamic again.

Plagued by injuries since then, Rhian Brewster, Jayden Bogle, David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp are unavailable. But if George Baldock is fit, I'd pick him ahead of the excellent Ben Osborn. Purely on the basis that he is a specialist wing-back. Osborn's presence among the substitutes would provide Heckingbottom with greater flexibility, however, on what is a defensively loaded bench.

Tasking Filip Uremovic, the Croatia international, with marshalling Serbian Mitrovic would be an intriguing prospect. But Chris Basham's assist at Loftus Road last week was timely because, selected on the basis of his attacking prowess, the centre-half had not been providing enough going forward until that point.

I did give some thought to recalling Daniel Jebbison to the squad in order to provide more options up top. But I resisted the temptation, because of the doubts over Baldock's ability to finish the game and the idea that the experience of Osborn and Conor Hourihane could prove crucial here.



https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-james-shields-team-to-beat-fulham-and-reach-the-championship-play-offs-3684564

[WhiteJC]

What is the latest news with Malcolm Ebiowei's sitution at Derby amid Leeds, Spurs and Fulham links?

Malcolm Ebiowei has been a breakout star for Derby County this season.

In a difficult campaign for the Rams, the team has been able to look to their youth side for quality talent as one big bright spark to the last 12 months.

Ebiowei is one of those talents that has lit up the fans of Pride Park in recent weeks and months.

The 18-year old has performed quite well in Wayne Rooney's side, so much so that it has attracted Premier League attention going into the summer transfer window.

According to a report by The Sun, Tottenham, Leeds United and Fulham are all monitoring the situation surrounding the promising youngster.

Ebiowei's contract expires at the end of June, making him a free agent this summer and available to negotiate with prospective new clubs.

Due to his age, Derby will still be able to command a fee for the player as part of registration rules for underage players.

Arsenal and Rangers will also earn a portion of whatever fee is agreed due to his time with both clubs during his academy years.

Given Derby have been relegated to League One, it is incredibly likely that he will seek a move away from the third division in order to climb the English pyramid.

Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig are also said to be keeping a keen interest in these developments.

Ebiowei has played 15 Championship games this season, including 10 starts.

He earned his first goal for Derby in their recent 2-0 win over Blackpool.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-is-the-latest-news-with-malcolm-ebioweis-sitution-at-derby-amid-leeds-spurs-and-fulham-links/

[WhiteJC]

Away Day Guide – Sheffield United

It's out last away day guide of the season, and the EFL (hopefully for a while!). Here's the essential info for those heading up to see the CHAMPIONS today.
GETTING TO BRAMALL LANE
BY CAR

Exit M1 at Junction 33 and follow the A630 into Sheffield City Centre. At the inner ring road, follow signs for A621 Bakewell. Bramall Lane is located on the A621, almost a quarter of a mile away on the other side of Sheffield City Centre.

The closest car parking is the Ant Marketing Building on Bramall Lane, heading away from the ground, which charges £5 per vehicle. Supporters should be advised that they will need to arrive early as this car park frequently fills up around a hour and half before kick off.

The best option could be to park at Meadowhall Railway Station and take the tram into the city centre, from where you can walk to the ground. Parking at the station is free, you can take the yellow tram (£4 return journey) and complete the journey on foot.
BY TRAIN

Sheffield station is about a mile from Bramall Lane. It should take fifteen minutes to walk there. If you opt to walk, walk up the slope and cross at the traffic lights before turning left. Continue along Shoreham Street past BBC Radio Sheffield and the University Engineering Centre on the right. Cross over at the traffic light junction, head right along St. Mary's Road, walking past the Church and turn left into Bramall Lane. You will find the visiting turnstiles on your left after about 200 yards.
BY COACH

The official club coaches will leave Motspur Park and Craven Cottage at 6.30am. They are priced at £20 for adults and £15 for junior season ticket holders and £25 for adults and £20 for other junior supporters.
AWAY PUBS

Fulham fans will do well to reach Sheffield in time to enjoy more than a swift pint in any of these venues, but they should be able to toast a terrific season in any of these establishments after the game. Please be advised that all pubs in the immediate vicinity of Bramall Lane are strictly home fans' only.

The Sheaf Island (Ward's Brewery, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8HW), a Wetherspoon's outlet, regularly welcomes home and away fans without a hint of trouble. It will be open from 8am on Sunday.

The Beer Engine (17 Cemetery Road, Highfield, Sheffield S11 8FJ) is a popular real ale option after the game as it will be open at 2pm.

The Globe, near Sheffield station (54 Howard Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2LX) will also be a good destination after the game as it opens at 11.45am on Sunday.

The Howard (Howard Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2LW) would be a post-match possible as it opens at 12pm and has welcomed Fulham fans in the past.

The Sheffield Tap – inside the station – may be a useful pre-return journey drinking point as it will open at 12 noon (1b Sheaf Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BP).

Of course alcohol will be available inside Bramall Lane, including Heineken (£4), Bulmers Cider (£4) or John Smith's (£4).



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2022/05/away-day-guide-sheffield-united/

[WhiteJC]

 

[filham]

Carvalho, Soloman and Lingard would make a great start to our summer signings, just add  Areola and a top replacement for Ream and we would have what starts to look like a Premier League team.