Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 24/02/23...

[WhiteJC]

Rory MacLeod on Fulham transfer brink as Dundee United starlet holds positive talks with Premier League club

Fulham would sign McLeod now but he'd stay with United until the summer when the Cottagers can register the Scotland youth star.

Fulham have held signing talks with Dundee United starlet Rory MacLeod.

Record Sport revealed on Monday that the Cottagers were close to sealing a deal for the Scotland youth international. MacLeod was given permission to travel to London on Monday in order to thrash out terms with the Craven Cottage outfit after United chiefs gave the green light for things to move forward.

Initial discussions with a player, his family and agent were positive but the teenager is yet to sign on the dotted line with the English Premier League club. However, no issues are expected and the transfer should go through in the coming days. Fulham are keen to land MacLeod now, but won;t be able to register him until the end of the season. He will remain part of the Dundee United squad for the rest of the season, although there are talks that are likely to see the teenager return to Tannadice on-loan for next season.

United and Fulham both have a tie in but this would be the first player transaction between the two clubs.

Meanwhile, Dundee United chairman Mark Ogren and his hierarchy will address the club's shareholders at today's Annual General Meeting. It could be a stormy affair with fans unhappy at the team being bottom of the Premiership, recent transfer activity, lack of investment in January and the running of the club.

Ogren arrived from the States last week and took in the weekend defeat to St Johnstone. The American has invested heavily in the squad but now appears to be cutting back and making the club more self-sustainable. Unhappy shareholders will demand answers on how the club plans to move forward.



https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/rory-macleod-fulham-transfer-brink-29268260

[WhiteJC]

Fulham could have to cope without top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic for Friday's clash against Wolves as he battles with a lingering hamstring issue... but Marco Silva allays fears that he has suffered a serious injury with his side chasing a European spot

    Aleksandar Mitrovic has a hamstring injury and could miss Fulham's next match
    Marco Silva has admitted Mitrovic has been troubled by the problem lately
    Silva does not think it is a serious issue and expects the striker to return soon

Aleksandar Mitrovic is a doubt for Fulham's home clash with Wolves on Friday as he struggles to shake off a hamstring problem.

The Serbian striker missed his side's 1-0 win at Brighton on Saturday, and manager Marco Silva has revealed that he has been carrying an issue since before Fulham's previous game against Nottingham Forest.

Mitrovic managed to play the majority of that game before being substituted late on, but Silva has admitted it is currently unclear as to when he will be fully fit again.

'Mitro got a minor injury in the muscle. He had a small issue in the warm-up before the Nottingham Forest game,' Silva said.

'He doesn't look really seriously injured. It's probably a minor injury.


Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is struggling to shrug off a hamstring problem


Marco Silva is unsure whether Mitrovic will be ready to face Wolves on Friday night

'I don't know if he will be ready for [Wolves] or just for Leeds. The next few days will be important for us to see if he will be available.'

Mitrovic has proven his quality in the Premier League this season by netting 11 goals - no other Fulham player has scored more than four times in the top-flight.

Therefore, having to cope without him would be a blow for Fulham, who occupy sixth spot and are chasing a European place in their first season back in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has already missed five league games this term - four due to injury and one through suspension.

Fulham lost their first three games without him against West Ham, Manchester City and Manchester United, but have won their last two matches when he has been absent against Chelsea and Brighton.

Silva appears confident that Mitrovic could return soon, with Fulham hosting Leeds in the FA Cup next Tuesday before travelling to Brentford in the league the following Monday.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11774911/Fulham-without-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-against-Wolves-battles-hamstring-problem.html

[WhiteJC]

Silva 'deserves credit' for rebuilding Fulham squad successfully – Doing his 'best work' at Craven Cottage

Marco Silva 'deserves credit' for the work he has done at Fulham this season with them just three points outside of the top six.

That's according to journalist David Novo, who has heaped praise on Silva in his column for Record today.

He explains that during an interview with himself back in August, Silva was 'not satisfied' with the construction of Fulham's squad having seen two signings at that point.

That was something we covered, with Silva urging Fulham to make signings quicker as they geared up for their first season back in the Premier League.

That was due to the number of departures, particularly Fábio Carvalho, his best player in the Championship who had joined Liverpool.

Signings were eventually made, and Fulham are now in 6th, one place above the club's best ever finish in the Premier League.

Silva 'deserves credit' for that and 'rebuilding the team' in the midst of a competitive campaign, as well as getting repeatedly positive results.

His ability to 'adapt a team' who were dominant in the Championship to the 'demands and difficulties' of the Premier League is admirable according to Novo.

Indeed, according to him, everything points to the fact that Silva is doing the 'best work' he has done in England so far after spells with Hull and Everton. In fact, it makes him 'one to keep following' in the future.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/silva-deserves-credit-rebuilding-fulham-squad-successfully-best-work-craven-cottage/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U21s put five past QPR
Fulham's under 21s eased into the quarter finals of the Premier League Cup by thrashing near neighbours Queens Park Rangers 5-0 at Motspur Park last night.

Steve Wigley's side played the more polished football from the outside but had to wait until the 25th minute to break the deadlock. A well-worked move saw Jay Williams switch the play to Sonny Hilton on the right flank and the skipper's fine floated cross was turned in by Terry Ablade. QPR were unfortunate not to equalise when a rampaging run from Jude Arkell-Boyd took the Rangers right back into the area and his shot bounced down off the crossbar and away to safety having surprised George Wickens.

Fulham spurned good chances to double their lead, but Luke Harris made no mistake from the penalty spot in the last minute of the first half. The Whites were good value for their half-time advantage but survived a scare when Wickens saved smartly from Joseph Ajose after the R's forward had been released clear of the home defence by a perceptive pass from Rafferty Pedder.

Harris added his second of the evening with another assured finish into the corner of the net after excellent approach from Adrion Pajaziti, but Rangers didn't give up. Wickens held an ambitious effort from the imposing Hamzad Kargbo before Fulham cut loose in the final twenty minutes. The lively Martial Godo got on the scoresheet deservedly after proving a regular threat down the left wing, firing in after a swift Fulham break had led to a bit of a melee in the penalty area.

Substitute Olly Sanderson scored a fifth in the fourth minute of stoppage time following up after an audacious strike from the half-time by Pajaziti had beaten Rangers goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney.

FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; Tanton, Araujo (Okkas 74), C. Robinson, D'Auria-Henry; Williams, Pajaziti; Hilton (McCoy-Splatt 84), Godo (McFarlane 84), Harris; Ablade (Sanderson 74). Subs (not used): Allen.

BOOKED: Harris, Williams.

GOALS: Ablade (25), Harris (pen 44, 48), Godo (71), Sanderson (90+4).

QUEENS PARK RANGERS UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Mahoney; Jude-Boyd, Anthony (Hawkins 45), Harrack (Bala 45), Woodman; Owens (Cotter 45), Murphy; Ajose (Flaherty 70), Pedder, Murphy; Kargbo. Subs (not used): Salamon.

BOOKED: Murphy, Jude-Boyd, Kargbo.

REFEREE: Elliott Swallow.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/02/fulham-u21s-put-five-past-qpr/

[WhiteJC]

West Ham United suffer setback in pursuit of teenage wonder Rory MacLeod

West Ham United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of teenage Dundee United forward Rory MacLeod with the youngster closing in on a move to Fulham, according to 90min.

The report claims that Fulham have agreed on a deal with Dundee United which could rise up towards the £1m mark if all bonuses and add-ons are triggered.

West Ham United weren't the only club interested in the talented youngster, with Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Southampton also expressing an interest in MacLeod.

MacLeod only turned 17 in early February but has already managed to make 12 Scottish Premiership appearances for Dundee United, a testament to his abilities.

The youngster is expected to finalise his Fulham move in the coming days and what could prove to be a real coup for the Cottagers.

Strategic partnership.
It looks like the Hammers have been trumped in this transfer story because of a secret alliance between Fulham and Dundee United.

Football Scotland reported on 20 February that Fulham and the Tangerines have a "strategic partnership" in place that could have helped them seal a deal for the youngster.

This isn't unheard of in the modern game by any stretch of the imagination, however, it is odd that this partnership has never come to light before this deal.

Sometimes things like this play a massive role in the dealings of transfers and it likely left the Hammers with little to no chance of securing the talented Scotland youth international.

The said deal for the youngster should see him loaned back to Dundee United for the rest of the Scottish Premiership campaign, obviously in good faith of this alleged "partnership".

West Ham United may have to get used to looking for more obscure talents like the Scottish wonder if their league position continues to get any worse.



https://www.westhamzone.com/news/west-ham-united-suffer-setback-in-pursuit-of-teenage-wonder-macleod/

[WhiteJC]

Games for the Week-end 24/02
Another game under lights at the Cottage where we welcome Wolves for a Friday evening 20:00 kick-off

"Smash and Grab" is the consensus of our result at Brighton, they were clearly "on top" for most of the game yet we managed to get a "last minute" winner, in the past how often has that happened to us?
With Mitro unavailable it was strange that Vinicius didn't start?, however his contribution to Solomon's goal was outstanding and if Mitro is out for the rest of the month I think he'll start every game.
Solomon has 2 goals in 2 games, he also must be close to getting a start, but who would he replace? I can't see either Bobby, Pereira or Harrison being dropped?
Yet another outstanding display from our back four and we've also good replacements "on the bench" in Duffy, Cédric and Kurzawa if needed.
Following on from the Forest "double" we added a "double" against Brighton, we can't have made many doubles in the top flight and surly none two games in a row?

Wolves had been in really good really good form prior to their last game, they'd won 3 of the previous 4, and will have been frustrated by loosing at home to Bournemouth keeping them just 3 points above the relegation zone.

After August's 0-0 draw at their place, I'm hoping for a better result from this game.

Current Form:
Fulham – LLDWW
Wolves – WLWWL

our record against Wolves isn't that good with 4 wins, 11 losses and 6 draws.

I'm assuming that Mitro will be unavailable along with Tom and Kebano, so my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Friday 24th
Fulham v Wolves

Saturday 25th
Leicester v Arsenal
West Ham v Forest
Bournemouth v Man City
Palace v Liverpool

Sunday 26th
Man Utd v Brentford
Spurs v Chelsea

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=2520

[WhiteJC]

Three April Matches Televised

Three of Fulham's Premier League matches in April have been selected for live television coverage, with two of them changing time and/or date.

The fixtures in question will now be played as follows:

    Fulham v Leeds United* – Saturday 22nd April, 12.30pm – BT Sport
    Aston Villa v Fulham – Tuesday 25th April, 7.45pm – BT Sport
    Fulham v Manchester City – Sunday 30th April, 2pm – Sky Sports

Additionally, it has been confirmed that all Premier League fixtures on the final day of the season (Sunday 28th May) will now kick-off at 4.30pm.

*Subject to the participation of either club in an FA Cup Semi-Final fixture during that weekend.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/february/21/three-april-matches-televised/

[WhiteJC]

MacLeod set for Fulham switch
The Daily Record reports that Rory MacLeod and his representatives held positive talks with Fulham yesterday regarding his proposed transfer from Dundee United.

The seventeen year-old starlet, due to move south of the border for a six-figure sum, has yet to formally sign his Craven Cottage contract but that is expected to happen in the coming days. There is an expectation that MacLeod will formally join the Premier League side in the summer when they can complete with his registration but that the striker would be loaned back to United for a season to continue his development at Tannadice.

Dundee United and Fulham agreed an academy partnership last January but this would be the first transfer between the two clubs.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/02/macleod-set-for-fulham-switch/

[WhiteJC]

Wolves will come face-to-face with old transfer target Joao Palhinha on Friday, he's thrived for Fulham

Wolves are taking on Fulham on Friday and it's another huge game in the Premier League – and there will be a chance for Wanderers fans to catch former transfer target Joao Palhinha in action.

Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth has dragged Wanderers back into the scrap, and Julen Lopetegui will be looking for a response.

Fulham will potentially be a very tough game.

The Cottagers are having a very good season and are currently sitting sixth in the table.

They are just four points off the top four and are dreaming of European football in some form come the end of the season.

They are pretty much where Wolves want and need to be.

And someone who has really helped Fulham get to where they are is Palhinha – a player Wolves were strongly linked with in the summer.

Wolves were apparently in pole position to sign the star at one stage.

But in the end Wanderers opted against it and Fulham came in and snapped him up from Sporting CP for £20 million.

And arguably, Palhinha has been one of the Premier League signings of the season for far.

Official Premier League statistics show that he currently tops the category for tackles made, with 98.

He's way clear of Tyler Adams of Leeds United in second (81). And Pascal Struijk is third with 63.

Palhinha has brought real steel to Fulham's engine room, and it's going to be very interesting watching his performance in particular on Friday.

He did play in the reverse fixture back in August. But he's now got a proper feel for the Premier League and his display will make for compelling viewing.

Joao Palhinha has turned out to be an excellent signing for Fulham, following Wolves links
It does look as though Wolves missed out on a top-class player in Palhinha.

Ultimately though, it was the club's decision not to press ahead with his signing.

According to the Express & Star, Wolves were offered the chance to get him and would have beaten Fulham to the Portuguese enforcer. But the hierarchy said no.

Potentially, that was down to the fact that Palhinha has a similar profile to Ruben Neves.

The fact Neves wasn't leaving perhaps played a part in the decision.

In the end, Wolves spent bigger on another player from Sporting in Matheus Nunes, who was more what was needed at the time.

It's just a shame Palhinha didn't stay at Sporting.

Potentially, Wolves might have fancied signing him this summer if Neves left, which is something a lot of people are expecting to happen.



https://www.molineux.news/opinion/wolves-will-come-face-to-face-with-old-transfer-target-joao-palhinha-on-friday-hes-thrived-for-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Bobby DeCordova-Reid: 'We talk about Europe – we want to achieve things'

Bobby DeCordova-Reid believes there is 'no shame' in Fulham targeting European football as they attempt to gatecrash the established Premier League elite.

The Cottagers have enjoyed a brilliant return to the top flight and sit in sixth place, above both Liverpool and Chelsea, ahead of Friday night's visit of Wolves to Craven Cottage.

Along with seventh-placed Brighton and Brentford, in ninth, Marco Silva's side have caused headaches for the so-called 'big six' – it is all a far cry from two years ago when promotion was followed by immediate relegation back to the Championship.

Now Fulham have European ambitions and DeCordova-Reid admits there have been discussions among the players about where the campaign could ultimately take them, even if those chats remain fairly light-hearted.

'I'd be lying if I said we didn't speak about it but it's all tongue in cheek at the same time,' the 30-year-old told Metro. 'We know it is game by game and winning matches gives us confidence and why not have that conversation sometimes between ourselves?

'We have that dream of "what if?" but at the same time we're putting the work in, we don't think anything's done or feel that we're better than anyone else.'

The former Bristol City man acknowledges the season so far has surpassed even their own hopes.

Not only do a side regarded as something of a yo-yo club have a top-six finish in their sights, they also host struggling Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round next Tuesday.

'Surviving was the main focus and we've put ourselves in a very good position,' added DeCordova-Reid. 'We won four matches on the bounce after the World Cup and that put us into a more comfortable place going into the new year.

'We've got things to play for, which is always exciting, and the lads can feel it. We want to achieve something this year – there's no shame in saying that – and hopefully we do.'

Ask a Cottagers fan about DeCordova-Reid's position and a debate can rage for some time. He's usually deployed as a winger but has also been a No.10 and filled both wing-back roles. Last Saturday in the 1-0 win at Brighton he played up front.

The numbers
4 – Premier League goals Decordova-Reid has scored this season, one short of the five he managed in his first top-flight campaign with Cardiff in 2018/19 and again with Fulham in 2020/21

17 – Appearances the 30-year-old has made for Jamaica, winning goal-of-the-tournament award at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup for a stunning volley against Suriname

2 – Times Decordova-Reid has been promoted to the Premier League with Fulham


What does the Bristolian himself believe is the answer? 'I just say "attacker" now,' he said. 'I don't narrow it down to one position. I've played defensive roles because I don't shy away from defensive responsibility. I'm just happy to be on the pitch contributing. The higher I am up the pitch I can sniff out a goal.'

DeCordova-Reid describes himself as a family man away from the pitch and has certainly found a home from home since leaving Cardiff for west London in August 2019, initially on loan.

Last month he signed a one-year extension, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2024 and is happy and settled in the capital with his wife and child.

'It comes around quick, time flies. It means I'm getting old! It felt like home from when I first arrived. I have family here and I used to come and spent the summer holidays in London when I was younger, so it wasn't like I was going somewhere I was lonely,' he says. 'I always enjoyed playing at the stadium and scored a few goals here so to play here as a home player was even better.'

But there is no denying DeCordova-Reid is a Bristol boy through and through. He recalls fond memories of playing as a No.9 during his time with Bristol City. But he feels he can be a manager's dream with his versatility.

'Bristol was where I made my name as a striker in a partnership with Famara Diedhiou and that was a good time for me,' added the Jamaica international. 'I feel I understand the game, take things on board quickly and learn quickly. Managers might see that in me and long may that continue.'

Talk of the west country brings us on to FC Bristol, the non-league team bought by DeCordova-Reid and his friends and relatives last year, having previously been known as Lebeq United.

Unlike politics (his sister Marsha DeCordova is Labour MP in nearby Battersea) – 'I stay away from that' – football back in Bristol exerts a strong pull.

At FC Bristol, his brother Curtis Reid is manager, cousin Kris Miller is assistant manager and his friend Chris Dacosta one of the players.

DeCordova-Reid went back to his old stamping ground to help run the side during the World Cup break but admits that taste of management has been enough to have put him off doing it full-time.

'It was stressful! I was in the dugout and I understand why some managers do go crazy,' he joked.

'We had the opportunity to take over the club, we changed the name, I say "we" but it's my brother, my cousin, my close friends. It's a family type of thing. It is enjoyable when I do go down.'

No danger of that for Fulham – not this time. The only way is up at the Cottage.

Tickets for Fulham's Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie against Leeds are now on sale to supporters with a previous booking history. Visit tickets.fulhamfc.com



https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/21/decordova-reid-we-talk-about-europe-we-want-to-achieve-things-18324280/?ito=newsnow-feed

[WhiteJC]

Report: Newcastle and West Ham to miss out on striker

Newcastle United and West Ham United will miss out on the signing of Dundee United striker Rory MacLeod to Premier League rivals Fulham, according to 90min.

Newcastle and West Ham United target Rory MacLeod to join Fulham
The report has claimed that Fulham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham all have expressed interest in the 17-year-old striker.

Scouts from the aforementioned clubs have been impressed by the teenager.

90min have claimed that Fulham have agreed a fee with Dundee United which could rise to £1 million if all bonuses and add-ons are triggered.

The teenager will travel to London in the coming days to finalise a switch to Fulham.

Promising talent
Rory MacLeod is one of the best young talents in Scotland, and Fulham could be able to sign a real gem.

Newcastle United and West Ham United could miss out on a real star of the future.

MacLeod is only 17, but he already has decent experience of playing in the Scottish Premiership.

As reported by 90min, the teenager become Dundee United's youngest ever player in February 2022.

The forward has made seven substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership and has made one substitute appearance in the Scottish Cup for The Tangerines so far this season.

Last season, MacLeod made two substitute appearances in the league.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/02/21/report-newcastle-and-west-ham-to-miss-out-on-striker/

[filham]

Three fixture time/date changes changes in April, I wonder if any fans have missed matches or arrived late having failed to notice these changes.
I have to admit to a couple of near misses.