Friday Fulham Stuff - 07/10/22...

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Fulham loanee looking to follow fellow Le Harve graduates Paul Pogba and Riyad Mahrez to the top

Striker John-Pierre Tiehi is aiming to make his mark at Hamilton Accies


Hamilton's Jean-Pierre Tiehi (Image: SNS Group)

Pictures of Paul Pogba and Riyad Mahrez loom large at the Le Harve training centre in the port city of Northern France.

It's where countless French football stars have embarked on a journey that would take them to the top of the game - and Hamilton Accies striker John-Pierre Tiehi hopes he can follow in his countrymen's footsteps.

Coming through at Le Harve - where his father Joel, a fellow striker, spent the early part of his career - eight-year-old Tiehi cut his teeth at the academy, which has also produced former Rangers star Jean-Alain Boumsong, ex-PSG star Lassana Diarra and Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet.

Now 20 years old, Tiehi is on loan at New Douglas Park from English Premier League side Fulham and aiming to kick-start his senior career after spending the past few years with the youth team at Craven Cottage.

Le Harve remains his home and it is his upbringing there that still inspires him.

He said: "I was there from eight years old to 16 when I moved to Fulham so it was a long time.

"I still live in Le Harve because my dad played there for seven years and my family and friends are there. It will always be my home.

"All the photos of the players are hanging in the Le Harve training centre so you know all about the history.

"You've got Pogba, Mahrez, loads of players who have come through.

"It is a wall of big, big players and hopefully one day I can make it there because I would be very proud of myself if I did."

During his spell at Fulham, Tehi has been surrounded by top talent and he added: "My best friend is Fabio Carvalho at Liverpool so he was one of the most renowned that came through at Fulham with me and went on to play at a high level.

"I've got many friends like Cody Drameh at Leeds and Sylvester Jasper - who was at Hibs last season - so we are all still making our way through.

"We all want more and maybe we haven't really made it yet, but maybe we will have a conversation about that in five or six years."

Tiehi was brought north of the border by boss John Rankin in August and is still getting to grips with life in Scotland.

In his seven Accies appearances this season, he has one goal to his name so far, but feels he has adapted well to the style of play in the Scottish Championship.

He added: "It is a very physical league, very sharp and very quick as well.

"But I think I've done well for myself in terms of coping with the physicality.

"I was impressed by the level of the league because people can come up here and think you are going to be a five out of five but teams prepare properly and I'm actually pleased to be here because I'm learning a lot from the teams I've played against so far.

"It's been really good. After three or four weeks I really felt at home and I'm really grateful for that.

"The gaffer is one of the best I have come across because he makes you so welcome.

"I'm very pleased to be here and I am just trying to show that on the pitch. I feel good here and hopefully I can score more goals."



https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/fulham-loanee-looking-follow-fellow-28167124

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U21s and Valencia share the spoils
Fulham's under 21s began their Premier League International Cup campaign with a creditable point after a goalless draw with Valencia Mestella at Craven Cottage last night.

The stalemate was much more watchable than the scoreline suggests with plenty of sublime Spanish skill on show and Steve Wigley's own ball players getting into the contest the longer the game went on. Fulham's starting line-up included several of the starlets from their encouraging start to the PL2 campaign, with Luke Harris deployed in the number ten role behind Olly Sanderson, and skipper Ollie O'Neill starting on the left wing. Stefan Parkes, on the bench for the first team on Saturday, replaced Ibane Bowat at left back.

Valencia enjoyed more of the ball in the first half but clear cut chances were at a premium. Matt Dibley-Dias, scorer of a sensational goal against Everton at Motspur Park on Friday, nearly found Sanderson with a clever cross but his ball drifted beyond the Fulham striker. The visitors looked dangerous in the final third themselves with Parkes clearing ahead of Jesus Perez after a prolonged spell of possession for the side in yellow.

Miguel Angel Angulo's side then had two good chances to open the scoring before the fifteen minute mark. Firstly, Yarek Hernandis headed wide after the hosts had failed to clear a free-kick and forward Mario Musy sent a free header wide of goal having been found by a fabulous cross from Diego Lopez. Fulham responded with a surging run from Harris before O'Neill turned his marker superbly to find the Welsh midfielder only Harris to drag his snapshot past the post with defenders putting him under pressure.

The Spaniards continued to carry a threat after the break with Rodrigo Rodrigues bursting away down the right flank before Parkes recovered to make an important block. After a lovely link up between Luciano D'Auria-Henry and Harris almost led to a Fulham opportunity, Charlie Robinson covered brilliantly at the other end to prevent Vicente Esquerdo from finding the net. From the ensuing corner, Lopez stabbed agonising wide as the home defence dozed.

Fulham's rearguard – which had coped admirably with patient probing from the visitors all night – was now looking fragile. D'Auria-Henry was caught in possession having just won the ball back, but Alberto Sanchez sliced horribly wide when well placed. The hosts were then grateful for a heroic piece of defending from Connor McAvoy for keeping their clean sheet intact. The Scottish under-21 international bailed out George Wickens, who had failed to hold a low shot from Musy, by denying Sanchez, who seem certain to slot a late winner in the empty net.

Fulham pushed for a winner late on, with substitute Martial Godo looking dangerous down the right flank. Callum McFarlane, another substitute, came closest to scoring – swivelling to volley O'Neill's header goalwards, but he couldn't direct his finish on target. This was an encouraging point for Wigley's side, with a number of previous regulars in the under-21 set up out on loan. Valencia's 'B' side, including a number of over-age players last night, have lost just one of their six fixtures so far this season and are now unbeaten in four matches.

FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; D'Auria-Henry, Parkes (Bowat 68), C. Robinson, McAvoy; J. Williams (Godo 65), Pajaziti; Dibley-Dias, O'Neill, Harris; Sanderson (McFarlane 83). Subs (not used): McNally, Tanton, Okkas, Šekularac.

BOOKED: C. Robinson, McAvoy.

VALENCIA MESTELLA (4-2-3-1): Manuel; Iranzo, Muñoz, Tárrega, Gasiorowski; Ribeiro, Santiago (Gozálbez 72); Lopez (Serra 61), Farofa (Gonzalez 72), Esquerdo (Alemañ 61); Musy. Subs (not used): Bernard, Joseda, Mari.

BOOKED: Santiago.

REFEREE: Gary Parsons.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/fulham-u21s-and-valencia-share-the-spoils/

[WhiteJC]

Stadium Store Signing Session

Don't miss out on the chance to meet Fulham players at Craven Cottage this October!

Supporters are invited to head down to the Stadium Store at Craven Cottage on Wednesday 12th October for an instore signing session.

Summer signings João Palhinha, Andreas Pereira and Bernd Leno will be joined by Mary Southgate and Edie Kelly from Fulham FC Women, who will all be meeting with fans and signing autographs in the Club store.

The session will begin at 4pm and run for 90 minutes. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Players subject to change or cancellation last minute, one item of merchandise to be signed only, no photos allowed with the players, queue to be capped at 200 on a first come, first seen basis.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/06/store-signing-session/

[WhiteJC]

Last Chance: Fulham FC Women Season Tickets

Last chance to secure your 22/23 Fulham FC Women Season Ticket ahead of Sunday's fixture against New London Lionesses.

Be there for every home matchday by owning a Fulham FC Women Season Ticket, providing you with entry to all Fulham FC Women 22/23 League fixtures at Motspur Park.

Season Tickets will be available to buy until Sunday 9th October.

After Sunday's 0-5 Vitality FA Cup win, Fulham FC Women will be looking to bring the momentum to this weekend's League clash against New London Lionesses at Motspur Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

The following weekend Fulham FC Women return to action against Aylesford Ladies at Motspur Park on Sunday 16th October, kick-off 2.30pm.

With two home fixtures this October, it's the perfect time to come down and cheer on Fulham FC Women, you can secure your seats for £5 for adults and just £1 for under 18s.

Tickets for both of these fixtures are now on sale.

Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.fulhamfc.com or by calling 0203 871 0810 (Mon – Fri, 9am-5pm).



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/05/last-chance-fulham-fc-women-season-ticket/

[WhiteJC]

Chris Sutton namechecks Leeds United winger Dan James in World Cup 'biggest diver' debate

The former Premier League striker has said he thinks the Welshman could be the tournament's biggest diver

Former Premier League striker and pundit Chris Sutton has said he believes Leeds United winger Dan James will be the 'biggest diver' at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The Whites winger will undoubtedly be a main member of the Wales squad and is currently on loan at Fulham although he hasn't made much of an impact here.

James found himself falling down the pecking order under Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and was sent on loan to Craven Cottage to find consistent minutes but has struggled so far this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton called out James' history of throwing himself to the floor and compared him to other European competition.

"It doesn't matter, lower league football, Premier League football or international football, we will just track them down. I was at Wembley [for England v Germany] and [Thilo] Kehrer, take greater care, that's what I would say to him. Stay on your feet.

"Don't throw yourself down and don't simulate, because I tell you what we will do, we will call you out and tell you 'you're better than that Thilo Kehrer'. Getting his dives in before the World Cup. Getting all the practice in, that's what the Germans do, they dive, don't they?

"It's going to be interesting the World Cup, who is going to be the biggest diver at the World Cup? Have the Welsh got any divers? Daniel James? Daniel James, likes to dive, doesn't he?!"



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/chris-sutton-namechecks-leeds-united-25190206

[WhiteJC]

Premier League players to take a knee over next two weekends as part of 'No Room For Racism' campaign

Premier League's 'No Room For Racism' initiative takes place over the next two rounds of games; players will take a knee as a gesture against racism and other forms of discrimination; Premier League captains announced in August they were no longer routinely taking the knee before games

Premier League players are set to take a knee before top-flight matches over the next two weekends as part of an anti-discrimination campaign.

The league's 'No Room For Racism' initiative takes place over the next two rounds of games, and as part of that players will take a knee as a gesture against racism and other forms of discrimination.

Premier League club captains decided ahead of the start of the season to select significant moments to make the gesture, after it became a common sight at matches following the death while under police arrest of black man George Floyd in the United States in 2020.

Other occasions selected for players to take a knee include the Boxing Day round of matches - which will mark the return of the Premier League after the World Cup - future No Room For Racism campaign weeks, the final day of the season and the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.

Other messaging in support of the campaign will be displayed around Premier League stadia.

Darren Moore, the chair of the Premier League's Black Participants' Advisory Group (BPAG), said: "In my time as chair of BPAG, I have seen a lot of significant changes and progress in tackling discrimination and creating more opportunities across the game.

"I think it is fantastic players are continuing to take the knee to show a united front against racism. The BPAG fully supports the players as they take the knee at selected matches to continue to send this powerful message.

"I am proud of the work being done to increase the number of coaches from under-represented groups going into full-time professional roles. The coaching initiatives are excellent and well-received by candidates.

"There has been really good work in opening doors and creating pathways - the challenge now is to ensure we continue to work together to maintain progress and enhance these opportunities for even more coaches.

All #PL matches between October 8-16 will be dedicated to #NoRoomForRacism.

Players will take the knee ahead of kick-off before all 20 fixtures during this period to show their unity against all forms of racism.

➡️ https://t.co/vfyb3kUvqA pic.twitter.com/e3isL4mKp8

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 6, 2022

"We already have a brilliant game and bringing more diversity into all areas of football will only continue to make it even better."

The league is involved in various programmes focused on equality and diversity, including the Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS) and the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme, which have led to 48 black, Asian, mixed-heritage or female coaches securing placements with professional clubs.

The league also launched an online abuse reporting system in June 2020 to support players, staff and their families when they receive discriminatory abuse via social media.

The league has investigated more than 400 cases to identify online abusers following reports from clubs.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "Fighting racism and all forms of discrimination is always a priority for the Premier League and our clubs.

"We urge everybody to play their part and demonstrate that racial prejudice is not acceptable in football or wider society.

"We support the decision made by players to take the knee at specific moments during the season and we will use these matches to further promote anti-discrimination and educate fans.

"We continue to work hard to address discrimination and improve opportunities within the game, in line with our No Room For Racism action plan.

"We know more can be done to remove barriers to make football more inclusive, and that football will benefit from greater diversity across all areas of the sport."

Kick It Out reporting racism
Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion organisation - working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

www.kickitout.org

Together we will strive to make our social media accounts a safe space for all fans.

Hate won't stop us in our goal of celebrating sport for all and all for sport.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12713598/premier-league-players-to-take-a-knee-over-next-two-weekends-as-part-of-no-room-for-racism-campaign

[WhiteJC]

Games for the Week-end 08/10
Another derby game see's us travel across town to the London Stadium to take on West Ham.

Well the game against Newcastle didn't go to plan did it?
Mitro going off due to injury is a worry, hopefully it was just a precaution as being down to 10 men and being 2 goals down, he wouldn't really have much support or chances so Marco thought it better to save him?
Other injuries for Willian, from another behind closed doors game?, compound the longer term injuries for Solomon and Willson, is it me or are we having more injuries this season compared to last?
At least we'll have Palahina back for this game, for me he's our "new" Danny Murphy.

West Ham will be relieved to have got their second win of the season last weekend having 1 draw and 5 losses.

Our record against the Hammers is not very good with only 3 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws.

I'm assuming that Mitro won't be fit for the game so my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Saturday 8th
Bournemouth v Leicester
Chelsea v Wolves
Newcastle v Brentford
Brighton v Spurs

Sunday 9th
Palace v Leeds
West Ham v Fulham
Arsenal v Liverpool

Monday 10th
Forest v Villa

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=2382

[WhiteJC]

"How is that possible?" – Fulham defender lauds 'abnormal' teammate, finally getting recognition he deserves

Fulham defender Kenny Tete has labelled teammate Aleksandr Mitrovic as 'abnormal' and says he is glad the striker is getting praise that wasn't coming to him earlier in his career.

The striker has started this season in fine form, with six goals in eight Premier League games so far.

Only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have scored more goals in the Premier League this season, with the Serbia striker bettering the likes of Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and other established stars.
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It's a continuation of last season for the Fulham star, who bagged a ridiculous 43 goals and seven assists in 44 games in the Championship las season.

That tally saw Mitrovic breaking Ivan Toney's record for the most goals scored in a Championship season, and by February take Guy Whittingham's record for most scored in a 46-game campaign.

He's also been in fine form on the international stage, bagging a goal against Slovenia earlier this year before then scoring a hattrick against Sweden and getting another goal in the win over Norway during the last international break.

He is undoubtedly in the form of his career and Fulham teammate Tete is pleased to see that earning him plaudits.

"Last season he was also abnormal, doing things you thought: huh? How is that possible?" Voetbal Primeur report him saying.

"Last year he didn't get the respect he deserved, but now he is appreciated, which is very important.

"He has a certain focus... You see him busy in the strength room. It's no longer a coincidence, he works very hard for it. He doesn't care about what others say about him."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/possible-fulham-defender-lauds-abnormal-teammate-finally-getting-recognition-deserves/

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Fulham, Bradford, QPR and Norwich defender Zesh Rehman: Rejected, written off and racially stereotyped - now time to use painful experiences to help Portsmouth kids flourish
Zesh Rehman raided his loft for the documentation to strengthen anecdotal evidence.

More than two decades have passed, yet coaching reports assessing his Fulham youth-team progress have been preserved, a nod to the past which moulded his future.

With characteristic honesty, Pompey Academy's lead professional development phase coach describes himself as a 'first-year scholar' in the role he was appointed to in June.

Nonetheless, as a player, his remarkable pathway through the game serves as an inspiration to those seeking precious guidance.

Told he would never make a footballer and rejected by two Premier League clubs by the age of 12, Rehman subsequently totalled 20 seasons in the professional game, playing in four countries and skippering Pakistan internationally.

He also holds the distinction of becoming the first British Asian to feature in the Premier League, an entrance accomplished against Liverpool in April 2004.

Challenged to impact an Academy system requiring revitalisation, the infectious 38-year-old believes his unique personal experiences can be utilised to help Pompey's starlets flourish.

'I've experienced pretty much everything you can go through in the game in terms of success, disappointments, self-doubt, going through growth spurts, all kinds of emotions these kids are likely to face,' Rehman told The News.

'I was rejected twice by the age of 12, I've been the kid away from home, my parents were sometimes over-pushy, so I can relate to that.

'For instance, last month I brought in my Academy reports from 20 years ago and sat down with injured lads such as Spencer Spurway and Destiny Ojo.

'I wanted to show them that I also had a long-term injury, that I also was not good in particular areas – have a look at my reports. If you are not quite forging ahead in the group right now, it's not the end of the world, you can always get on that journey.

'At Fulham, I broke my foot and was out for six months, it was an overuse injury playing under-17s, under-19s, the reserves and training with the first-team. My body wasn't quite ready for it.


Zesh Rehman made 30 appearances for Premier League Fulham after coming through the ranks. Here he's pictured against Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in December 2004. Picture: Phil Cole/Getty Images.

'I was 17 at the time. I had another one at 18 and was out for another three months. These things can happen, it's just about your mindset to come back.

'Ultimately, it's not about when I played, it's irrelevant really, it's about how they are doing, what are their targets, what does Danny (Cowley) want to see from them, what's needed for the next part of their journey.

'Every emotion they're feeling, I can feel it, I can put myself in their shoes, it brings me back to that moment in time very quickly. It makes the conversion a lot easier.

'Whether they are disappointed at not training with the first-team or whatever, I have pretty much been fortunate enough to live through that myself.

'It's empathetic conversations, a big part of my coaching ideal. The daily chats are where the magic happens.'

Growing up in Nechells Green, Birmingham, it was the family's relocation to Sutton, South London, which would unlock Rehman's football career.

Accepted into Fulham's Academy at the age of 12, he progressed to make 30 appearances for the first-team, including a league debut at Liverpool in April 2004.

The central defender would go on to feature in all four divisions of the Premier League and Football League, representing Brighton (loan), Norwich (loan), QPR, Blackpool (loan), Bradford and Gillingham, as well as earn 25 caps with Pakistan.

He would spend the final decade of his playing days in Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia, before retiring at the age of 38 after 20 seasons in the game.

Remarkable longevity for a player who, as a 10-year-old, was told he would never make a footballer.

He added: 'By the age of 12, I had been rejected by Aston Villa and Chelsea. You have a choice, accept it or fight it. Fight or flight.

'You either roll over, crumble, or get back up and work again. I think it's about proving yourself right more than proving the other person wrong, it's just finding that motivational fuel.

'When living in Birmingham, I had a trial at Villa, the club I support, but wasn't signed. I was aged nine or 10 and was told quite bluntly "You are never going to make it". It was go and play cricket, you're scared of the weather, blah, blah, blah, all the negative stereotypes.

'I later trained with Chelsea for a whole season. Every week they would hand out a bib signed by Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit to the best trainer. I used to win that more or less every week, but didn't get a game.

'I was travelling from Sutton to Battersea two or three times a week, the best player in training every week, but not getting a game. At the end of the season, they said no. They told me I didn't have enough strength in the legs, but I was 12, still growing.

'There proved to be one more opportunity, though. Paul Clement was manager of my Sutton district side and a Fulham scout watched one match. I was a striker back then - I scored and we won the game.

'This was my last chance and, aged 12-and-a-half, I grabbed it with both hands, I was determined not to let it go. I was there for the next 10 years.

'The little set-back actually helped, sometimes you need that, you need a release to go and kick on again in your career. My motivation was to be that person the next generation of Asian players could look to, so everything I did was about that.

'When I was young, there was nobody in the game for me to look up to, so I wanted to prove myself right and open doors, to show that others from similar backgrounds could also do this.

'Let's find a way, by trial and error, by making mistakes, by learning from mistakes, roll up your sleeves and try to be the one that opens doors.

'It's whatever motivates you. You can be motivated by proving people wrong, you can be motivated by money, you can be motivated by getting a bigger move – whatever works for you as an individual.'

It was a switch to Hong Kong-based Southern in June 2017 which would provide the first steps on a coaching pathway.

Having initially worked with their under-18s while carrying out playing duties, he was appointed player head coach three years later, leading them to fifth in the Hong Kong Premier League in his maiden season.

However, it became apparent that management didn't excite him, instead Rehman realised his passion lay with the development of young players.

Having hung up his boots in May, he moved to Fratton Park to replace Liam Daish, demonstrating his commitment by relocating his wife and two children from Kingston to settle in Southsea.

And with first-year scholarship pair Harvey Laidlaw and Brian Quarm's Papa John's Trophy introduction against Aston Villa Under-21s on Tuesday night, initial signs are promising.

'The development side has always fascinated me. Five years before I stopped playing, I was preparing for it, this is the route I felt destined to go down,' he said.

'As a coach, you have to be passionate about the game. I've been in and around the training ground for 20 years in a row and, now I have stopped playing, this is year number 21. I'm still in that environment – I still have that love.

'I don't like the word retirement to be honest, I look at it more as changing jobs. I am 38, I've not really retired, I am coming to the peak of my life.

'It's the right time to change jobs and the most pleasing aspect of it was that it was done on my own terms – and I have zero regrets. The legs were struggling a bit chasing channel balls, I'd had enough.

'For the final couple of years I was a ball-winning midfielder, while working as a player-coach. It was always going to be my last season, my passion for coaching outgrew the passion for actually playing in the sessions, which was a clear sign for me.

'I was waking up more excited about training sessions, planning and reviewing. It was a gradual transition.

'As the first-team's player head coach, I was involved in recruitment, signing players, dealing with the media, making decisions. It was okay, but didn't excite me. What really got me happy and excited was seeing individuals improve at the end of the game.

'I would make some tactical changes and some games we'd win. Great. But I was more excited by the left-back crossing into dangerous areas, or the midfielder arriving late and scoring goals.

'I had previously worked with the under-18s before taking the player head coach role. Now some of those youngsters are in the first-team, playing for the national team, so I'm like a proud dad, feeling that I had some small part in that – and, ultimately, that's what I love to see.'

As the first British Asian to play in the Premier League and the first Pakistani international to play in England, Rehman is regarded as a figurehead for Asian players with footballing aspirations.

It's a responsibility he has embraced, dedicating his career striving to inspire other British Asians to follow his groundbreaking pathway into professional football.

Rehman has mentored rising Manchester United starlet Zidane Iqbal, who this season has featured twice for the under-21s in the Papa John's Trophy and of Pakistan heritage, through his father.

Meanwhile, brother Riz is the PFA's player inclusion executive, overseeing the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS) project to encourage more participation from Asian footballers.

Rehman added: 'A lot of people think that if you're a former player you get a leg up and an easy way in, yet at Pompey it was far from it. The process was quite rigorous to be honest, it was really thorough, really detailed.

'It was all about football. Not once during that process did anybody mention my background, where I am from, about Asian players in the game, none of that - and I loved that, absolutely brilliant.

'This was music to my ears, it was all about me as a coach and how I can help these lads. For me, that was a selling point.

'I did have other offers, financially better packages, but, for me, the gut feeling is a massive indicator. I'm always a big believer in the gut feeling, it just felt right.

'Not that I am fed up talking about being the first Asian player in the Football League, I understand why it's a talking point and see it as a privilege to be in that position. I have worked hard to be there.

'I appreciate how certain communities see me as a role model, which I respect and understand, I will always try to make time for that.

'But, ultimately, the game is about winning the respect of your team-mates, your coaches, people you are working with – so where you are from and what your background is is irrelevant.

'If you are good at what you do and you are honest and work hard, then nothing else really matters, does it.

'Football has no religion, football has no culture, no background. Yet football is a religion, it's what people live for, especially in Portsmouth.

'People might talk about my background, they might write about it, but when I come to training, as a player, as a coach, I am the same as you. We are all here because we must be okay at football, so let's get to work.

'It's about whether you can win the respect of the dressing room, everything else is irrelevant, it doesn't matter.'



https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/ex-fulham-bradford-qpr-and-norwich-defender-zesh-rehman-rejected-written-off-and-racially-stereotyped-now-time-to-use-painful-experiences-to-help-portsmouth-kids-flourish-3869965

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's sheer calamity against Newcastle United proves they still have plenty of work to do

The opening 45 minutes against Newcastle United – or what Fulham fans will recall as an uninterrupted sequence of sheer calamity – proved the Cottagers are not the finished article this season by any means.

Joao Palhinha has been influential so far in his fledgling Fulham career as Marco Silva's side have made an impressive start on their return to the Premier League.

However, with suspension ruling him out of the game against the Magpies, it was never going to be easy to replace the midfield revelation.

And his stand-in Nathaniel Chalobah barely managed to tie his laces before diving into a reckless tackle and getting himself a straight red card after eight minutes.

It was a juvenile mistake for the 27-year-old former England international which has not helped Chalobah's chances of securing more game time, having failed to make a strong impression since arriving at Craven Cottage in 2021.

It would be reductive to blame one individual for a team losing 4-1 at home, but his moment of madness threw the game off kilter before Fulham had any chance to settle, highlighting a weakness of depth in Fulham's midfield.

What should have been a calming presence for a changed side quickly became an expensive absence, and whether his late lunge came from an eagerness to impress, it could have cost him any future starting position under Silva.

Moving onto the Fulham manager, his decision to start Chalobah over club captain Tom Cairney did seem a strange one. Chalobah is the more defensive option but Cairney has played deeper before and has a habit of relieving pressure by picking up the ball deep and driving up the pitch.

Fulham looked better with his attacking impetus on the pitch after he was sent on just before half-time to help quell the tide of Newcastle goals.

There was at least the aggression in the midfield that has been the catalyst for Fulham's best performances this season.

Silva made some attempts post-match to protest referee Darren England and video assistant referee Mike Dean's decision to give Chalobah the straight red, saying: "I have a strange feeling after seeing it many times on TV. It's difficult to accept – if it was always like that, I would accept.

"But I am 100% sure that we will come here in derbies and tough games with lots of challenges, and moments like that one will be a yellow card and that's it.

"This is a difficult situation for us to understand because it's either consistent with these types of situations, or we have to give a yellow card."

The Fulham boss will have his opinions about officiating decisions, but the red card was just one of several turning points that gave Fulham their worst defeat of the season so far.

Another occurred in the 37th minute when talismanic number nine Aleksandar Mitrovic limped off nursing an injury he sustained on international duty with Serbia.

With Palhinha and Mitrovic both missing, Fulham's ball retention in the opposing half became virtually non-existent – the doggedness and hostility from the Brighton and Nottingham Forest games had vanished and Newcastle were able to easily zip the ball around for the remainder of the game.

This will be an area of concern for Silva as the midfield is where Fulham have won games this season.

A strong, organised press led by Palhinha and Mitrovic has usually been followed up by Andreas Pereira and Harrison Reed, but without the two instigators, the latter was chasing his tail while Pereira drifted in and out without making any real impact.

The bad luck kept coming for Fulham as new signing Layvin Kurzawa went off injured, Miguel Almiron produced a contender for goal of the season, and Bernd Leno's brilliant save bounced off the post into the path of Sean Longstaff.

Silva continued post-match: "We know we are in a good place, but we are humble enough to understand that even if you work harder and harder, some bad days will come for us as well – it's part of the marathon that is the Premier League.

"We understand that – it is up to me to work with them and to show them what we have not done right. Some things we did were not enough, and we have to keep working."

Some positives for Fulham are that Mitrovic's injury doesn't look to be too serious and may only keep him out for one more game.

Meanwhile, Harry Wilson is rumoured for a return to action before the end of October, which will be a big plus for the Whites with Willian now injured too.

Palhinha will return from his one-match-ban against West Ham, adding that much-needed physical presence and stability in the middle of the park and Silva will be keen to show the rest of the league the capitulation against Newcastle was little more than a blip.



https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2022/10/06/fulhams-sheer-calamity-against-newcastle-united-proves-they-still-have-plenty-of-work-to-do/