Monday Fulham Stuff - 05/09/22...

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Results

Sunday
Brighton	5-2	Leicester
Man Utd	3-1	Arsenal

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Jack and Loz Away from the Cottage - Blog 226
Date: 3rd September 2022

Opposition: Spurs
Venue: the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Someone won a prize for coming up with the name.
Score: 2-1
Fulham goal scorer: 🔥
Weather: just like for our trip to Arsenal, it was warm and sunny. Does it ever rain in north London?
Atmosphere: the noise in the away section was fantastic. However, "You only sing when you're winning," might have been written for the Spurs fans. "Is this the Emirates?" definitely was.
MOTM: we've always been fans of Rodak, but Bernd Leno is a different class of keeper. Even under constant pressure, he remained calm, decisive and unshakable. Our runner-up was Kenny Tete who was indefatigable and impervious in defence and who delivered that long, arching, inch-perfect pass for the goal
Lunch: we had lunch at Le Pain Quotidian in St Pancras and went back there for drinks at the Sir John Betjeman after the match. Options for food and drink in Tottenham were....limited.

Tottenham High Road is a soulless cityscape. Rubbish blows along the pavements and the air is so thick with pollution that you can almost see it. This is London at its most dynamically multicultural, the area is busy and bustling and there are few empty shops but as a walk to a football stadium it's long, uninspiring and potentially hazardous to your health.

For a long time on this unpleasant trek, it feels like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium doesn't exist. You don't see it until you're very close. Somehow, it hides it shiny newness behind its older, dilapidated neighbours until you're right next to it, facing a sign for the "Tottenham Experience" which is presumably an exhibition about spending many years as a fairly successful club without winning anything.

Unlike the Emirates, which is a stunning example of functionality meeting grace, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looks a bit like Westfield. In fact, it's a mixed use development like Westfield and as a Spurs fan you could park in Sainsbury's car park, watch the match then do your weekly shop. Why more of them weren't doing this was a mystery.

Signage to the away end was poor but the bag searches were impressively thorough and we got into the stadium very quickly. Inside, it is big and well maintained. The facilities were excellent. This was our first experience of safe standing and, on the whole, it worked well. The view was good but, as with all these large stadiums, the goal at the other end is so far away you can't make out what's happening in front of it. It must be worse for the home fans at the top of the big stand. They're so far up that the sound from pitch level must take about 15 seconds to reach them.

Anyway, enough of praising the stadium. As we all know, Fulham have had a very good start to the season, particularly in terms of performances. That had to end sometime. The first half against Spurs was the worse half of league football Fulham have played since we lost 4-0 to Sheffield United when the players were still hungover from their title celebrations.

Play was disjointed and hesitant. The team looked a bit lost on the big pitch and a bit desperate when dealing with Spurs' fast, disciplined attacks. We haven't had to write this for a long time but we gave the ball away far too much and far too easily. Mitro hardly touched the ball. This was discouraging because not only did it mean we had few chances up front, it also meant (presumably under instructions) that he wasn't helping out at the back.

Things went from bad to worse with the injury to Robinson who has been one of the leading lights of the season so far. He was replaced by Mbabu who we fully appreciate was playing out of position. But that doesn't really excuse the mistake he made which seemed to be forgetting how to play football. If you make an error at this level you are deservedly punished and, in fact, such was the gap in both quality and organisation, we felt lucky to be only 1-0 down at the break.

Things improved in the second half with Fulham using the ball better, even if they still didn't comprehend how much space there was. The Spurs strike force remained potent and dangerous. We have mentioned Leno already but this really was a demonstration of excellent goalkeeping under extreme duress. He kept us in the game while Spurs flung balls into the box and skimmed them across the face of goal. Tim Ream dealt with top opposition with his usual calm aplomb, ably assisted by Tosin and Pahlinha while Kenny was at times a one man defensive unit against most of the Spurs attack.

Marco Silva has been complaining about the lack of reinforcements for some considerable time. And usually at considerable length. As well. And now they've arrived you can see why. The entrance of Willian, Tom Cairney and Dan James changed the game. Tom often looks at his creative best against high quality opponents and he immediately set about finding the gaps, utilising the space and playing perfect passes. To be honest, Willian looks like he needs a bit of Silva polish but we liked Dan James immediately - fast, committed, incisive.

Spurs thought the job was done at 2-0 but they were wrong. Hugo Lloris had already been called on to make some good saves and Fulham were still fighting hard. Mitro, unusually quiet so far, wanted to make sure his few remaining doubters had no more ammunition. And that another team failed what is already known as the Mitrovic Test.

It was an exquisite goal, quite possibly his best Premier League goal so far, the goal of a striker so assured and confident that no defender, no goalie and no law of physics is going to stop him scoring. He received Kenny's terrific pass, switched the ball onto his right foot and arched it into the top corner of the net. He beat no less that 6 Spurs players plus the contorting Lloris.

Spurs had a goal ruled out due to an offside from Agent Sess and then they were the ones hanging on in extra time while their fans made more noise than they had all match screaming for the whistle to blow. Only a final world-class save from Lloris from another ambitious Mitro shot kept Fulham from gaining a point.

Ultimately, the result is probably fair and while we are disappointed we are far from disheartened. The new recruits will only get better and more embedded. That was our third very tough game in 8 days. We played badly and lost a key player early on but we lost by only one goal to a Champions League side.

Most encouraging was the fact we battled and believed right to the end. This is a fantastic Fulham team with a brilliant manager, and both are only going to get better.

Random musings:-

- The ref was much better than the one we had against Brighton (not difficult) although he still made some inconsistent decisions

- There we're some nice scenes at the end. Richarlison gave Marco his shirt, Sess came over to revisit his roots and mini Mitro (who isn't so mini any more!) made an appearance

- What is it with opposition managers dressing like Marco? Is this a north London thing? Or a Southern European thing???

- Pahlinha removed his shirt. It would be acceptable were he to do so again

- It was nice to see Vicinius briefly. He sounds like a Roman general

It's been a period of London derbies recently and we've acquitted ourselves very well. Next week though, team and fans need to be on absolute top form when we return to the Cottage to play the one derby which really matters.


https://werdsmith.com/p/egBhPGQNCHkurn

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Phil Hay does not see Dan James returning to Leeds United ever after Fulham loan

Phil Hay does not see Dan James returning to Leeds United again after sealing his deadline day exit to join Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

The Athletic journalist admitted that it was a long shot at best that the Welsh international would be seen for the Whites again, although any obligation is unknown.

Spurs were just one of the clubs said to be interested in James, along with Fulham, so if he became available, there would surely be plenty of suitors.

Writing in his latest matchday Q&A for The Athletic on Saturday (03 September), Hay responded to if the winger will ever be back at Elland Road.

"I don't think I see Dan James coming back, or it feels like a long shot," he wrote.

"James is 24. He's not especially young and Leeds have essentially said to him that they can do without him this season."

Last game?

So, his substitute appearance against Everton in midweek may be the final time we see James in a Leeds shirt.

That would be a massive shame.

Jesse Marsch has admitted that he likes the winger, and he was brought in for very big money only last season, so where is his chance to really prove himself?

Andrea Radrizzani made a big investment of around £25million, and now he could lose money already only two years later when it comes to next summer.

The worst part is that James has never had the chance to play in his natural position out wide for more than a handful of games after being forced to play as a number nine.

He will have a big point to prove if he does come back next season, so all eyes are already on then to see if we will be looking for yet another attacker in that transfer window.

It's a long shot, but let's hope he gets that chance.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/phil-hay-does-not-see-dan-james-returning-to-leeds-united-ever-after-fulham-loan/

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Spurs maintain unbeaten start
Marco Silva bemoaned Fulham's 'sloppy' first half after Tottenham continued their unbeaten Premier League start with a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Harry Kane. The Whites struggled to make much of an impression until the last ten minutes when a magnificent curling effort from Aleksandar Mitrovic – the Serbian's sixth goal in as many matches this season – raised hopes of an unlikely fightback. Fulham couldn't find an equaliser and the lively Richarlison was unfortunate to see a late goal ruled out by VAR on his first Spurs start in stoppage time.

The hosts utterly dominated the first half, although Fulham forged the first chance with Ryan Sessegnon arriving in the nick of time to deny Bobby Decordova-Reid a shot on goal after excellent hold up play from Mitrovic. Berno Leno, brilliant throughout, produced a excellent diving save to deny Kane and Kenny Tete's superb defending prevented Richarlison opening the scoring at the back post. When Tottenham did have the ball in the net, it was ruled out for offside against Kane in the build up.

Tim Ream then did brilliantly to block a Son strike after Richarlison had picked out the South Korean with a lovely low ball and Son – still seeking his first goal of the season – was then denied by the crossbar from close range after he had latched onto a clever Kane chip. Just as it looked as if the visitors might make it to half time unscathed, Tottenham took the lead on 40 minutes. Højbjerg played a one-two at pace with Richarlison and then placed his finish calmly past Leno.

Spurs started strongly once again after the restart. Kane teed up Richarlison, whose shot was well held by Leno. The Brazilian, buzzing around brightly, then picked out Eric Dier but the England international drove disappointingly over. The ex-Everton forward perhaps might have done better than shoot straight at Leno when space opened up for him inside the penalty area. Fulham threatened sporadically with Hugo Lloris forced into his first save after a Mitrovic effort was deflected towards the far corner.

Leno then made a superb save to prevent Sessegnon from scoring against his former club – somehow stretching to tip the left wing back's low shot past the far post. Silva, who had earlier been forced to send on Kevin Mbabu in place of the injured Antonee Robinson, introduced Willian and Dan James for their Fulham debuts alongside Tom Cairney. The on-loan Leeds winger almost made an immediate impact with a fine cross that found Mitrovic, but the in-form forward couldn't head home. Spurs still kept up the pressure with Leno doing well again to save a Son strike despite a significant deflection.

The second that the home fans craved arrived with fifteen minutes to play, despite a lengthy VAR check for offside. A slick move saw Son and Sessegnon combine effectively before Kane pounced from close range to score his 188th Premier League goal to move ahead of Andrew Cole in the all-time standings. But Fulham were far from finished. They continued to push forward and Tete's clever ball located Mitrovic in a bit of space. The Serbian moved inside the area on his right foot and curled a great finish around Lloris to make for a nervy last few minutes.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (3-4-3): Lloris; Romero, Lenglet, Dier; Emerson Royal, Sessegnon, Højbjerg, Bentancur; Richarlison, Son Heung-Min (Perisic 84), Kane (Kulusevski 78). Subs (not used): Forster, Davies, Sanchez, Tanganga, Skipp, Doherty, Bissouma.

BOOKED: Romero, Bentancur, Richarlison.

GOALS: Højbjerg (40), Kane (75).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson (Mbabu 29), Adarabioyo, Ream; Palhinha (Vinicius 85), Reed; Kebano (Willian 60), Decordova-Reid (James 60), Pereira (Cairney 61); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Duffy, Diop, Chalobah.

BOOKED: Tete, Decordova-Reid, Palhinha, Mitrovic.

GOAL: Mitrovic (82).

REFEREE: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

ATTENDANCE: 61,641.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/09/spurs-maintain-unbeaten-start/

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Jay Stansfield wears the No 9 shirt for Exeter City just like his father Adam - who died of cancer aged 31 in 2010 - as Fulham loanee makes an emotional return to his boyhood club

    Jay Stansfield joined League One Exeter City on loan from Fulham last week
    His father Adam played for the Grecians before he died of colon cancer in 2010
    19-year-old Jay took to the field amid emotional scenes at St James Park

Jay Stansfield wore the No 9 shirt like his late father Adam in emotional scenes at Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old Fulham loanee came off the bench during the Grecians' 1-0 win over MK Dons in League One at St James Park.

He wore the same shirt number as his father, who died aged just 31 from bowel cancer in 2010.

Adam Stansfield, also a forward, scored 39 times in 160 matches for the Devon club in the four seasons before he passed away.

Jay was part of Exeter's academy before signing for Fulham in August 2019. He has returned to his boyhood club on a season-long loan and received a standing ovation when he replaced Sam Nombe in the 79th minute.

     
Jay Stansfield (left) took to the pitch for Exeter City on Saturday after signing on loan from Fulham - he wore the No 9 shirt like his dad Adam (right), who died of cancer back in 2010


19-year-old Jay has taken the No 9 shirt at Exeter - it was retired after his father died of cancer

'I am never an emotional person but that was one where you start choking up a little bit,' said Exeter manager Matt Taylor.

'To see him in a No 9 shirt is incredible and it brings back memories of the Exeter team I played in alongside his father.

'It's a tragic story and one we were all part of.

'I know his family were here today and that is a huge moment for them. It was one of those moments to be here and I could sense the buzz arriving at the stadium.

'Jay is outstanding and had a really positive impact on the game.


Stansfield was the centre of attention as Exeter beat MK Dons in League One on Saturday


Jay greets members of his family following his late cameo as a substitute in Saturday's game

'We'll offer all the love he needs and I can't wait to see what he can do.'

Cheick Diabate headed home Exeter's winning goal after 66 minutes.

It was in April 2010, during his fourth season with Exeter, that Stansfield was diagnosed with a form of colorectal cancer.

He underwent surgery to remove part of his colon and even joined the Exeter squad for pre-season training that summer despite the effects of chemotherapy.

However, his condition quickly deteriorated and Stansfield died on August 10.

The Grecians retired his No 9 shirt for nine seasons as a mark of respect.


Stansfield No 9 shirts were much in evidence in the crowd at St James Park on Saturday



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11178445/Jay-Stansfield-wears-No-9-shirt-Exeter-City-just-like-father-Adam.html

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Fulham man to 'undergo' medical tomorrow ahead of permanent exit

The latest Fulham news involves a potential departure

Fulham defender Marlon Fossey is reportedly edging towards a departure.

The Cottagers are said to have agreed a deal with Standard Liege to sell him on a permanent basis.

Fossey, 23, has played only once for Marco Silva's side so far this season in the Carabao Cup.

According to a report by The Athletic, he will 'undergo a medical' on Monday ahead of his proposed switch to Belgium.

Fulham academy graduate
Fulham swooped to sign the full-back when he was just 11-years-old and he has since risen up through the academy.

He has been a regular for the London club at various youth levels over recent years but has only played once for their first-team.

nstead, the former USA youth international has gained experience out on loan in the Football League.

Fossey was first sent to Shrewsbury Town in League One during the 2020/21 season and ended up playing nine times for the Shrews.

He then had a spell with Bolton Wanderers last term and made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Trotters in League One.

The Los Angeles-born now appears to be on his way out from Craven Cottage permanently, with Standard Liege poised to land him. They are managed by ex-Celtic boss Ronny Delia these days.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-man-to-undergo-medical-tomorrow-ahead-of-permanent-exit-3830692

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Silva rues 'sloppy' start
Marco Silva didn't mince his words after Fulham were beaten 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

Speaking to BT Sport after the final whistle, the Whites' head coach said:

"Tottenham deserved three points, our first half was not good enough, we didn't get to our standards. On the ball we were not at our level, even without high pressure from Tottenham we took many wrong decisions on the ball first half.

We gave the ball away easy many times and for me that was the main thing of the first half because doing better on the ball we would control the game better and take more decisions and put them under pressure as well and we didn't do that. After the injury of Robinson that created a different scenario for us and we had to adapt. We had much more courage in the second half and tried to match them, we had some problems in our pressure definitely but we were more aggressive.

Not just because we lost the ball in an important decision it was our reaction after. The way we like to play is to take risks but our reaction has to be different. We missed Robinson on and off the ball. The way they scored the second goal they created problems for us. I wanted a reaction, I expected to see that after half-time. I didn't see that after 10-15 minutes in the second half so I decided to change something.

We didn't get our standards, we have to improve on the ball, there is a lot of room for us to improve. We will do it, we need more time to work with the players. It wasn't our best afternoon, but we tried to get the equaliser until the last minute."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/09/silva-rues-sloppy-start/

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Dartford inflict Fulham's first defeat
Fulham Women fell to their first defeat of the season this afternoon as Dartford Women registered their first league victory of the new campaign thanks to forward Emily Vaughan's second-half winner.

The Whites dominated possession for much of a hard-fought encounter but couldn't find the opening goal despite a number of good chances. Dartford goalkeeper Paris Smith made a number of smart saves, before Vaughan put the hosts ahead just before the hour mark. Fulham pushed forward in search of an equaliser but their late pressure didn't pay off as Dartford held on to claim a deserved three points.

Steve Jaye's side will seek to bounce back next Sunday afternoon when they take on Saltdean at Hill Park.

DARTFORD FC WOMEN: Smith; Michalski, Davies, Ahern, Adams; Griffiths, Gibbs, McKeag, Torry; Dyett, Vaughan. Subs: Pearce, Panayi, Read, Reader, Woodgates.

GOAL: Vaughan (58).

FULHAM WOMEN: Kelly; Allen, Foreman, Bird, Southgate; Thomas, Christison-McNee, Stormer; Olds, Heasman, True. Subs: Ogle, Lambird, Armstrong, Konan, Mendes.

ATTENDANCE: 180.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/09/dartford-inflict-fulhams-first-defeat/

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Report: Preston-linked Marlon Fossey now set for Standard Liege medical

Preston were linked with Marlon Fossey over the summer and the Fulham man is now on the brink of signing for Standard Liege over in Belgium.

North End boss Ryan Lowe made it clear throughout the summer that he wanted to bring a new right wing back to Deepdale.

Brad Potts has been performing admirably out of position there, but a natural right wing back option would have been ideal.

Yet whilst many names were linked over the summer, they usually ended up elsewhere.

Moses Odubajo to Aris Thessaloniki, Cyrus Christie to Hull City, Ethan Laird to Queens Park Rangers... North End were running out of potential names.

As deadline day approached, fans started to wonder whether Marlon Fossey could be the man for North End.

The American was linked earlier in the summer having impressed on loan at Bolton Wanderers in the second half of last season.

Quick, adventurous going forward and a natural wing back, Fossey ticked many boxes but fell short in one – his worrying history of picking up injuries.

Clearly out of favour at Fulham, Fossey looked like Preston's last possible hope at right wing back, but the deadline ended without a signing there.

Many Preston fans have been left frustrated by the inability to give Ryan Lowe the tools he really needed, and Fossey is now set for a move elsewhere himself.

The Athletic report that Fulham have agreed to sell Fossey to Belgian side Standard Liege.

The Belgian transfer deadline isn't until Tuesday, so Standard can get this deal done now even though the English deadline was on Thursday.

Fossey, 23, will undergo a medical with Standard later today ahead of completing his move away from Craven Cottage.

The fee hasn't been disclosed but with Fossey inside the final year of his Fulham deal, it's expected to be a bargain price.

It will now be fascinating to see how Fossey fares with a big club in Belgium, especially as North End's right wing back struggles goes on.



https://www.deepdaledigest.com/news/preston-daniel-iversen-alex-neil-stoke-city/

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U21 preview | Wolves vs Fulham
Fulham are the visitors to Aggborough as Wolves under-21s take on the Cottagers in Premier League 2.

A return of six points from a possible 12 has made for a healthy return to Division 1 life for James Collins' side.

Back-to-back victories and clean sheets were the perfect response to opening day defeat against Chelsea, while the youngsters were unfortunate to be beaten at Crystal Palace after playing much of the second half with 10 men and narrowly losing to a 93rd minute winner.

Last week saw a break from league action as the old gold travelled to Shrewsbury Town in the Papa John's Trophy. Despite falling behind after dominating much of proceedings, Wolves fought back as skipper Joe Hodge netted a brace to claim all three points.

Fulham have made an unbeaten start to their 2022/23 league campaign, winning two and drawing two of their opening four fixtures.

The points were shared last time out following a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, leaving Mark Dempsey's Whites in fourth.

The fixture is the first of two on home turf for the 21s this week, with Everton making the trip down on Friday evening.

WHEN

Monday, 7pm

WHERE

Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster

TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here and supporters are encouraged to do so, but entrance will be permitted on the day. Wolves season ticket holders are also entitled to free entry with their card on the turnstiles.

STREAM

Supporters can watch all the action from Kidderminster live this evening, as the match is streamed online via wolves.co.uk, the Wolves App and the Wolves YouTube channel.

The live Wolves TV match stream, beginning at 6.55pm, can be found here, or click here to watch on YouTube, while supporters can also catch download the Wolves App now on iOS here and on Android here.

NEXT THREE

Wolves

    vs Everton (H) | 9th September
    vs Arsenal (A) | 17th September
    vs Stockport County (A) | 20th September | PJT

Fulham

    vs Arsenal (H) | 11th September
    vs Hull City (H) | 14th September | PL Cup
    vs Man City (A) | 17th September

WHAT THE BOSS THINKS

"Since the first game against Chelsea, which was a poor result, the performances have been good. We had two wins and then we went to Palace, and I thought we were outstanding for the majority of the game.

"We were really unfortunate to lose that game after having Nathan (Fraser) sent off early in the second half.

"It's been a pleasing response to the first week, but we've got to keep getting better at the work we're doing and become ruthless when we get into the final third.

"Our football's been good, and I think we've got much better at our security behind the ball.

"We've got a few square pegs in there, but they're doing a good job and if we show a little bit more quality in that final third then the results will be even better."



https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-21/20220905-u21-preview-wolves-vs-fulham/