Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 20/09/22...

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Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic lead early predicted Fulham XI vs Newcastle

Fulham host Newcastle United in the Premier League after the international break, so HITC Sport has taken an early look at predicting their XI – led by Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Cottagers went into the pause in domestic matches following a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest on Friday. Tosin Adarabioyo drew Marco Silva's side level at the City Ground early in the second half, before Joao Palhinha and Harrison Reed hit to create an unassailable lead.

Beating a fellow promoted team returned Fulham's third win of the season in seven games so far. It also ensured the west London side entered the international break inside the top half of the table, while £157.5m spenders Nottingham Forest linger in the relegation zone.

Silva spent £62m on his summer signings to strengthen his Championship-winning squad at Craven Cottage. Palhinha was Fulham's most expensive arrival at £20m, but has offered the west Londoners two goals in seven Premier League starts since leaving Sporting Lisbon.

Fulham will be desperate for several of their star players to now return from international duty fully-fit to feature in Silva's XI at home to Newcastle. The Magpies visit the Cottagers on Saturday, October 1 for the resumption of the top-flight campaign with a 15:00 kick-off.

So, while injuries could occur in the coming days, HITC Sport has taken a very early look at predicting the Fulham XI that Silva fields to face Newcastle on their visit to Craven Cottage.

Bernd Leno (GK): Summer signing starts in predicted Fulham XI vs Newcastle
Bernd Leno will expect to start in Fulham's XI to face Newcastle, having started in their five fixtures preceding the international break. The £8m summer signing from Arsenal will also hope to take his first Cottagers clean sheet against the Magpies after conceding nine goals.

Kenny Tete (RB): Super start to Premier League season amid new competition
Kenny Tete has enjoyed a super start to his Premier League term against new competition from £6.5m signing Kevin Mbabu. The full-back has kept the Swiss out of the starting line-up with some stellar defensive showings, showing to be superb with one-vs-one situations.

Tosin Adarabioyo (CB): Mainstay of Silva's side to start in Fulham XI vs Newcastle
Adarabioyo has been a mainstay of Silva's squad so far this season so should start at home to the Toon. The centre-half is one of three Fulham players to play all 630 minutes on offer in the top-flight this term with some important defensive acts, but is also shaky on the ball.

Tim Ream (CB): Cottagers captain is often the star centre-back in their line-up
Tim Ream is regularly Fulham's star centre-half with a string of performances bettering the efforts of Adarabioyo beside him. The American is consistently an important presence over his top-flight outings, making crucial actions whilst skippering the side in all matches so far.

Antonee Robinson (LB): American makes predicted Fulham XI vs Newcastle
Antonee Robinson missed Fulham's win against Nottingham Forest due to the non-contact ankle injury he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur. But Silva noted ahead of travelling to the City Ground that the issue was 'not really serious', so will now look ahead to his return.

Harrison Reed (CDM): Silva will expect to see midfielder repeat high performance
Silva will now expect Reed to repeat the high levels of his performance against Nottingham Forest when Fulham host Newcastle. The midfielder scored his first goal of the term at the City Ground, and should benefit from the Magpies playing with width to impact the match.

Andreas Pereira (CDM): Summer signing to step up with Palhinha suspended
Silva will need another of his summer signings, Andreas Pereira, to step up in a deeper role against Newcastle. Fulham will be without Palhinha when the Toon visit after he received a fifth yellow card so far this term at Nottingham Forest, where he was the star of the show.

Willian (RM): Brazilian to build on first Fulham start against Nottingham Forest
Willian made his first start since joining Fulham against Nottingham Forest, and HITC Sport predicts Silva will keep the Brazilian in his starting XI. The free agent pick-up also laid on an assist at the City Ground from a corner, and also offered flashes of his attacking potential.

Bobby Decordova-Reid (CAM): Palhinha suspension forces Silva to reshuffle
HITC Sports predicts Palhinha's suspension will force Silva to reshuffle his midfield options when naming the Fulham XI to meet Newcastle. With Pereira likely to drop deeper, Bobby Decordova-Reid could move into a more centralised position to get on the ball more often.

Neeskens Kebano (LM): Winger to return to Fulham XI at home to Newcastle
Neeskens Kebano made way for Willian to make his full Fulham debut against Nottingham Forest. But with an opening on offer, HITC Sport predicts the 30-year-old will return to the wide-left position, from where he has started five of six appearances with one assist so far.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST): Serbian star will be loath to go two without a goal
Mitrovic will be loath to go two Premier League games without a goal for the first time this term when Fulham host his former side, Newcastle. The Serbia star has enjoyed a stunning start to his top-flight term with six goals in seven games but did not net at the City Ground.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/09/19/willian-aleksandar-mitrovic-lead-early-predicted-fulham-xi-vs-newcastle/

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Newcastle United double injury boost for Fulham game as Eddie Howe gets good news

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is hoping to have at least two stars back for the trip to Craven Cottage

Eddie Howe is set to be handed a double boost ahead of Newcastle United's next Premier League clash with the return of two players imminent. Howe appeared to be hit by a fresh blow in the build-up to the 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth when Elliot Anderson did not appear on the team sheet. But the youngster's injury is not serious and he should be back in the squad for the trip to Fulham.

And the big boost for Howe should be the eagerly anticipated comeback of Callum Wilson who has not played since the 3-3 draw against Manchester City. Wilson has been out with a hamstring problem and has missed a month of action.

When asked about Anderson's shock omission, Howe said: "He has a very minor niggle, he'll be fit, fine, for the next game." And on Wilson, Howe said: "We're really pleased with his progress. "He was close, but I think we made an early decision that it would have been too big a risk.

"So, we hope that with a bit more time, there's a chance that the next game could be good for him."

But Newcastle fans may have to wait for better news on Allan Saint-Maximin after the winger suffered what Howe described as a having a "setback". But Howe added: "Whether or not after the international break, he'll be fit, is slightly unclear, but it's certainly not long-term."



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-injury-boost-newcastle-25051775

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The Newcastle United tactical switch Eddie Howe could make against Fulham
The focus at Newcastle United in recent weeks has largely been on the return of Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Certainly, Guimaraes – who made his comeback in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth – was a big miss during his three-game absence. And Allan Saint-Maximin is desperately needed back.

Yet, arguably, the player who Eddie Howe needs back most is Callum Wilson, who has been out with a hamstring problem since scoring against Premier League champions Manchester City in August.

That's not a slur on summer signing Alexander Isak, who has scored two goals in his first three games. Isak's goal tally would stand at three in three had it not been for a marginal offside call at Anfield late last month.

Wilson is more or less ready to return, and should be available, barring any late niggles, for the October 1 game against Fulham which follows the international break.

"Callum's doing very well," said head coach Eddie Howe, who revealed an injury setback for Saint-Maximin after the Bournemouth game. "We're really pleased with his progress. He was close, but I think we made an early decision that it would have been too big a risk.

"So, we hope that with a bit more time, there's a chance that the next game could be good for him."

Wilson is a complete striker, and he will complete Howe's team. He's comfortable with his back to goal, and he'll thrive off the balls delivered into the box by the likes of Kieran Trippier and Ryan Fraser.

Isak is a different kind of player. He's less of an aerial threat, and, as we saw against Liverpool, he'll cause more problems, especially away from home when Newcastle are playing on the counter-attack, with his pace and movement.

The 22-year-old – who scored a penalty against Bournemouth to take his goal tally to two – is also learning about his team team following his £60million move from Real Sociedad.

Newcastle's players are also learning about Isak, who didn't get the right kind of early service.

"He's learning, and not just how the team plays, but also how his team-mates around him play too," said Howe. "Again, there were flashes from him, but I don't think, as a team, we did well enough around him to get him into goalscoring positions.

"We didn't feed him the ball early enough. He was a little bit isolated, and we didn't get him involved enough in the key areas where he wants to be involved.

Let's look at the positives – he took his penalty brilliantly and he worked hard for the team. He definitely contributed, but we know we can get him involved a lot more than that."

Howe has previously spoken about Isak and Wilson playing together, and the Sweden international could be move to a wide position to accommodate his 30-year-old team-mate against Fulham.

"He's a versatile player, and we obviously moved him briefly to the wide left when Chris (Wood) came on," said Howe. "He can play in a slightly deeper role as well, so there is flexibility with him."

And that could mean double trouble for Fulham when the Premier League resumes.



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/the-newcastle-united-tactical-switch-eddie-howe-could-make-against-fulham-3847821

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Ryan Sessegnon, Tim Ream among last Fulham XI to beat Newcastle now

Fulham will host Newcastle United when the Premier League returns, so where are the last Cottagers XI to get a win over the Toon now – including Ryan Sessegnon and Tim Ream?

Marco Silva's men will welcome Eddie Howe's Magpies to west London on October 1 eying Fulham's first win over Newcastle in five matches. The Cottagers have not beaten the Toon since they last met in the Championship in March 2017, sealing a 3-1 win at St James' Park.

The second-tier contest marked a domestic double for Fulham, who had beaten Newcastle 1-0 at Craven Cottage in August 2016. But the match six years ago still marks the last time that the west Londoners took a point at home to the Magpies, having lost in the next two.

Newcastle won both affairs at Craven Cottage during the last two seasons Fulham spent in the Premier League. Rafa Benitez oversaw a 4-0 rout in May 2019, whilst Steve Bruce took a 2-0 win during May 2021 in what is the Toon's most recent fixture against the Cottagers.

Fulham were able to hold Newcastle to a 0-0 draw in December 2018 and a 1-1 stalemate in December 2020 on Tyneside. But Cottagers coach Silva will now hope his side can come out of the international break and claim a first win over the Toon on home soil since 2016.

So ahead of Newcastle taking a trip to Fulham on Saturday, October 1 for a 15:00 KO, HITC Sport looks at the last Cottagers XI to claim a win over the Toon and where they are now...

David Button (GK): West Brom star opened last Fulham win over Newcastle
David Button opened Fulham's last win over Newcastle between the sticks, and was within 15 minutes of taking a clean sheet. But Daryl Murphy found Christian Atsu's ball to pull the Toon back to within two goals at 3-1. Although the strike would not spark a late comeback.

Fulham had signed Button from Brentford in July 2016 ahead of the Championship season which returned the Cottagers' most recent win over Newcastle. The 33-year-old stayed in west London until joining Brighton in 2018, before joining current club West Brom in 2020.

Denis Odoi (RB): Fulham only sold 2016 signing to Club Brugge this January
Denis Odoi joined Fulham from KSC Lokeren ahead of the 2016/17 Championship term. It marked the Ghana full-back's first transfer away from Belgium, the country of his birth. He would later return to Belgium with Club Brugge in January 2022 after 177 Fulham outings.

Tomas Kalas (CB): Fulham twice hired Bristol City defender from Chelsea
Fulham hired Tomas Kalas on loan from Chelsea twice, with the defender initially switching one west London club for another in 2016/17 before returning for the 2017/18 season. He would ultimately leave Stamford Bridge for good in 2019 when joining Bristol City for £8m.

Tim Ream (CB): Captain America now leading Cottagers efforts this season
Tim Ream arrived at Fulham back in 2015 when the Cottagers raided Bolton Wanderers for the American. The 34-year-old has since gone on to amass 263 appearances for the club in all competitions. He has also captained Silva's side in his seven games so far this season.

Scott Malone (LB): Millwall man only spent one season at Craven Cottage
Scott Malone only spent the one season at Craven Cottage, having arrived from Cardiff City in July 2016 then heading off to Huddersfield Town 12 months later. He also only spent the one term with the Terriers before joining Derby County, up until he joined Millwall in 2021.

Stefan Johansen (CDM): Former Fulham star now Queens Park Rangers captain
Stefan Johansen moved to England with Fulham in August 2016 after two-and-a-half terms with Celtic. The 55-cap Norway ace would ultimately be on the Cottagers' accounts for five years, but also spent time on loan to West Brom and QPR – where he is now their captain.

Kevin McDonald (CDM): Ex-Scotland international is now a free agent
Kevin McDonald started the last game Fulham took a win over Newcastle in five years ago. But the 33-year-old is now a free agent after leaving Dundee United this July, after a short stint back in Scotland after the Cottagers released the five-cap international in July 2021.

Neeskens Kebano (RM): 2016 purchase still showing his worth in 2022
Fulham signed Neeskens Kebano off KRC Genk in August 2016, and the 34-cap DR Congo winger is still showing his worth at Craven Cottage today. The 30-year-old – who spent half of 2021 at Middlesbrough – entered the international break after one assist in six outings.

Tom Cairney (CAM): Scored in last Fulham win over Newcastle as the captain
Tom Cairney captained Fulham to the team's last win over Newcastle in 2017, and also hit the back of the net once. The Cottagers skipper opened the scoring after 15 minutes with his ninth goal of the 2016/17 Championship season from Malone's third assist of the term.

The 31-year-old moved to Craven Cottage from Blackburn Rovers in 2015 after two years at Ewood Park. He has since gone on to amass 253 appearances with Fulham, and boasts 40 goals plus 32 assists in all competitions so far. But he has not added to either tally this term.

Ryan Sessegnon (LM): Tottenham star scored two in last Fulham win vs Newcastle
Ryan Sessegnon ensured Fulham beat Newcastle in March 2017 after the left-winger built on Cairney's goal with a brace of his own. The 22-year-old hit the net in the 51st and 59th minutes. He later left west for north London to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 for £25m.

Sone Aluko (ST): Striker did not score, but assisted twice to beat the Magpies
Sone Aluko led the Fulham attack the last time the Cottagers beat Newcastle. And while he did not score, the striker laid on the assist for Sessegnon's two strikes to take his tally to 11 assists for the 2016/17 Championship term. He ended the season with 12, plus eight goals.

A role in 20 goals from 45 second-tier appearances showed why Fulham signed the seven-cap Nigeria ace after he left Hull City. It also convinced Reading to part with £7.5m in 2017 to sign the forward, who went on to join BJ Renhe on loan then Ipswich Town since 2021.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/09/19/ryan-sessegnon-tim-ream-among-last-fulham-xi-to-beat-newcastle-now/

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Newcastle United's season to be shaped over crucial 42 days as Eddie Howe faces key period

The Magpies have a tough programme ahead of them in the Premier League ahead of the World Cup

Newcastle United are now facing a crunch 42-day period that will shape their season ahead of the unprecedented World Cup break in November. When players return from international duty in the build-up to the clash at Fulham on October 1, the trip to Craven Cottage will be the first of nine matches before the tournament in Qatar.

There will be 24 points available to Eddie Howe and the chance to keep one pathway to Wembley in the League Cup open going into the winter. In short, the 42-day run of matches will be a major test to a squad that have already felt the strain of a high-octane season so far with key stars like Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and Jonjo Shelvey breaking down in the summer months alone.

Howe was realistic about where Newcastle are in terms of results going into the international break. He stated he was "desperate" to see his side win and that the solitary Premier League win of the season back on August 6 against Nottingham Forest felt like a "long time" in waiting.

When asked how he will use the international break, Howe said: "We'll give them a bit of time off at the beginning of next week, and a chance to just regroup mentally. "It's a very busy period when we return, and it's going to be a key spell before the World Cup.

"How well we do in this next group of games will be very important."

The six-game run without a victory has similarities to Howe's early days as boss. He also went six matches without a win in the Premier League and FA Cup between December 12 and January 22 last winter. That barren run was ended with a 1-0 win at Leeds - a victory that laid foundations for a strong push towards early survival.

And that's the type of performance and result that Newcastle will need again at Craven Cottage when play resumes in the top-flight. It doesn't have to be spectacular, it just needs to be a win. Here's a closer look at what lies ahead for the Magpies before action gets under way in Qatar.

Newcastle's crunch run of games before the World Cup

Fulham (a) October 1

United face a Fulham side that have made a flying start to life back in the Premier League. Aleksandar Mitrovic has six goals to his name and after three wins and two draws the Cottagers sit in the top six under Marco Silva.

Brentford (h) October 8

The return of Ivan Toney to St James' Park will offer a stiff test. Toney netted in this fixture last season in the game that Eddie Howe missed due to Covid. It ended 3-3 last time.

Manchester United (a) October 16

The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag had a sticky start to life as Man United boss but has turned things around with four wins in the Premier League. It's never easy for Newcastle here with just one win since 1972.

Everton (h) October 19

Hot on the heels of the game at Old Trafford, Frank Lampard's Everton will be in Toon. This game is on Amazon Prime and Newcastle will be looking for a repeat of the 3-1 win over the Toffees last term when Ryan Fraser and Kieran Trippier were on the scoresheet.

Tottenham Hotspur (a) October 23

This will be the third game in seven days for United as they look to erase memories of a 5-1 defeat here last season. Tottenham have started the season well but might be feeling the effects of a Champions League and Prem programme by this point.

Aston Villa (h) October 29

Steven Gerrard will hope is bad patch of form is behind him but this will be an interesting battle between Howe and the ex-Liverpool man. Kieran Trippier's goal won it last season.

Southampton (a) November 6

This game has been shifted for a Sky Sports Super Sunday clash at 2pm. The long journey on a Thursday night was well worth it for United fans as the Magpies won 2-1 and Bruno scored a backheeled wonder volley. How Newcastle could do with a bit more of that.

Crystal Palace (h) November 9, League Cup third round

A home tie for Newcastle was the reward for beating Tranmere Rovers. Victory here would keep the season alive in this competition and give fans something to look forward to after the World Cup if another kind draw comes United's way. Can Howe and co take one step closer to Wembley?

Chelsea (h) November 12

The final game before the World Cup starts. We all know that lingering feeling of disappointment after a poor result before an international break. But a defeat here would hang around for six weeks! United need to sign off in a good manner.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-eddie-howe-crunch-25053708

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Fulham loan man close to returning from injury for EFL club

What is the latest on this player's loan spell away?

Fulham defender Steven Sessegnon is close to making a return from injury for loan club Charlton Athletic.

The right-back has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since mid-August.

He hasn't played in the last eight matches in all competitions but returned to full training last week.

Charlton boss, Ben Garner, provided this update on his situation last Friday, as per their official club website:

"Steven Sessegnon trained fully for the first time yesterday, but tomorrow (away at Fleetwood Town on Saturday) will probably be too soon for him, I would say, with only two full days of training.

"He did part of the sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and he did a full session on Thursday, so he will certainly come back into the full reckoning next week."

Fulham situation
Fulham gave the full-back the green light to head out the exit door over the summer to get more experience under his belt.

Sessegnon, 22, spent the second-half of last term with Plymouth Argyle and has so far played three times for the Addicks.

He has slipped down the pecking order at Craven Cottage under Marco Silva over recent times and will be hoping to use his time at The Valley to show what he can do.

The former England youth international has been with the Cottagers for his whole career to date and has played 19 times for their first-team. His contract expires at the end of this campaign.

His time with Charlton hasn't gone to plan just yet due to his injury but he is back fully training which is a boost for both them and Fulham.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-loan-man-close-to-returning-from-injury-for-efl-club-3848178

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'Midfield monsters' and shrewd spending
There were plenty of plaudits passed around in the wake of Fulham's come-from-behind victory at Nottingham Forest on Friday. The Times' Henry Winter concluded with the thought that should Marco Silva's side continue playing like this then the idea of another European tour – something the travelling fans were signing about at full time – isn't too fanciful. The Fulham head coach insisted nobody will be celebrating anything just yet, but a first away win, and especially the way the Whites achieved it, is worth shouting about.

Winter also identified Tim Ream and Willian for praise. Both have been much maligned in the past, Ream for being out of his depth at this level, and Willian for a rather forgettable spell at Arsenal. There were plenty of worries about the American's ability to deal with Brennan Johnson and co from left back when the team news flashed through at the City Ground, but the evening concluded with the St. Louis-native playing keep ball in the corner. It seems Gregg Berhalter hasn't been paying close attention, because even after injury withdrawals over the weekend, Ream has not been called up to the USA national squad. That's very harsh on an experienced servant who is having an exceptional season – but, selfishly, it is very good news for Fulham.

Willian's full debut was electric. I was frustrated in the first half because he was one of a number of players doing things seemingly at half pace. But he showed when running at Steve Cook that he still has enough gas to trouble defenders in a foot race – how the former Bournemouth centre back stayed on the field after cynically chopping him down remains a mystery, by the way. Plenty of people mocked the idea of the 34 year-old turning up in London again for a last hurrah after cancelling his Corinthians contract. One of those was the Athletic's Nick Miller, who found his deadline day arrival, extremely funny. No word from the Forest correspondent since the winger set up the equaliser and ran compatriot Renan Lodi ragged in the second half.

Even though I focused on Harrison Reed's impact – and his long-awaited goal – in the aftermath of our glorious win, João Palhina was the player the press highlighted for further praise. Rightly so, of course – although regular Fulham watchers know that the Portuguese midfielder is something special. He already has a brilliant bond with the fans, something that was illustrated by how he vaulted the advertising hoardings to join our celebrations following that superb strike from outside the box. The only downside of all that passion is that he will be missing for our date with Newcastle next month after picking up a fifth caution, but I suspect the photograph will become iconic. It has already made it onto a classic Cult Zeros t-shirt, after all.

The i's Daniel Storey – who writes a terrific Premier League newsletter called the Score, that is worth your pennies – concentrated on how quickly Palhinha has adjusted to life in England. He is the destroyer that Fulham have sorely lacked in their last few top flight seasons. Storey identified that, in addition to being a goal threat in the final third, Palhinha leads the league in tackles won and pressures. If it seems remarkable that this 'midfield monster,' as Storey describes him, is in a Fulham shirt – then consider that he cost as much as Nottingham Forest paid for Neco Williams. It isn't often that we've praised the Fulham hierarchy for shrewd Premier League spending in recent years, but the man with the 'octopus legs' (credit to our own Frankie Taylor on the Green Pole) has to be one of the signings of the summer.




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/09/midfield-monsters-and-shrewd-spending/