Thursday Fulham Stuff - 23/02/23...

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Join Us For International Football At Craven Cottage

Secure your seat to watch England's U21s in action under the lights at Craven Cottage!

Join us on Tuesday 28th March to watch England take on Croatia's U21 side in a friendly fixture, kick-off 7:45pm.

With the 2023 U21 Euro Finals coming up this summer, Lee Carsley's side will be using this match as the perfect opportunity to prepare for the tournament.

Tickets for this fixture are priced at £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions & juniors.

2022/23 Fulham FC Season Ticket Holders and Members can enjoy exclusive discounted ticket prices of £10 for adults and just £5 for concessions & juniors.

Don't miss out on your chance to witness the Young Lions in SW6!

BUY TICKETS ONLINE

Supporters can secure their seats now online at tickets.fulhamfc.com, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), or in person from the Fulham FC Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4:30pm).

Further matchday information can be found here.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/february/22/join-us-for-international-football-at-craven-cottage/

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Fulham vs Wolves Prediction and Preview

We preview Friday night's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage with our Fulham vs Wolves prediction and preview. What does the supercomputer predict will happen?

The Quick Hits:

    Fulham given a 38.8% chance to extend winning run to three consecutive games.
    Wolves to continue their Friday woes, predicted to lose their fourth such game in five attempts.
    Very similar probabilities for a Wolves win (30.9%) and a draw (30.3%).

Match Preview:
Fulham have the chance to extend their run without defeat to four Premier League matches when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Craven Cottage on Friday.

It's kind of flying under the radar just how good Fulham's season has been so far. The Cottagers sit in sixth place in the league table on 38 points, and a win on Friday would take them level with Newcastle in fifth – albeit having played two more games than the Magpies.

To do that, though, they'll have to break their recent barren streak against Wolves. Fulham are winless in their last five Premier League meetings with Wolves (failing to score in the last four).

Wolves slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Molineux Stadium in their last Premier League match, leaving them in 15th place in the standings. Things have been far more positive under new manager Julen Lopetegui, but the fact remains that Wolves are just three points clear of the relegation places with 15 matches to play.

They'll be eyeing up this encounter as a great opportunity to move further from danger. Despite their lofty league position, Fulham have actually conceded the most expected goals in the Premier League this season (41.2) but have conceded just 30 goals. Their overperformance of 11 goals is the highest in the competition so far this term and is in fact the highest in England. It suggests there are weaknesses within this Fulham side that are there to be exploited.

Are Wolves the side to do it through? They've scored a joint-league-low 17 goals, and their top scorers are Daniel Podence and Rúben Neves with five each. Only three sides (Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Southampton) have generated fewer expected goals overall this season than Wolves' 23.8.

Previous Meeting:
Wolves 0-0 Fulham: 13 August 2022 (Premier League)



It's perhaps not a surprise that given Wolves' struggles in front of goal that they played out a 0-0 draw against Fulham when these two sides last met on the second weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League season.

These were different times for the home side, with previous manager Bruno Lage still in the dugout. This draw was the second game in Wolves' five-game winless run to start the season, a poor beginning which ultimately Lage could not escape.

It could have been worse, too, with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic seeing a late penalty saved by Jose Sa, after Rayan Aït-Nouri fouled Bobby Decordova-Reid in the box.

It was a fairly anaemic performance from Wolves, who managed just one shot on target with Hwang Hee-Chan's fourth-minute effort saved by Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak.

Recent Form:
Since the resumption of the Premier League following the World Cup break, only Manchester United (seven) have won more games than Fulham (six). And they've done that despite star striker Mitrovic not firing on all cylinders. The Serb is without a goal in his last six appearances in all competitions and missed Fulham's 1-0 away win against Brighton last week through injury. He's touch-and-go with fitness issues again for Friday.

In his absence, Manor Solomon scored the winner against Brighton. All six of his Premier League games for Fulham have been as a substitute, playing 82 minutes in total. He averages a goal every 41 minutes courtesy of scoring in his last two appearances, while the last Israeli player to score in three consecutive Premier League games was Ronnie Rosenthal in November 1992.

Fulham's overperformance in defence does point to the form of Bernd Leno, captain Tim Ream and tough-tackling João Palhinha who are the crucial spine of this team. Fulham have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three Premier League games, despite facing 43 shots across these matches. They last recorded four consecutive shutouts in the top flight in December 2001.

Despite a poor home defeat to Bournemouth, Wolves had come into that game with impressive victories against Liverpool (3-0) and Southampton (2-1), as well as a gritty 1-0 win against West Ham. The win at Southampton was one of two wins Wolves have enjoyed in their four Premier League away games under Lopetegui (D1 L1). That's more than they'd managed in their previous 14 away trips (W1 D3 L10). They last won consecutive league games on the road in February last year (a run of four).

Fulham vs Wolves Premier League Prediction
The supercomputer has this match down as a tight one, with all three results similarly likely. Fulham will have the edge come full-time though, with the model predicting they win this game 38.8% of the game. The outcomes for a draw (30.3%) or a Wolves win (30.9%) are pretty much identical.



Win as predicted and Fulham will go level with Newcastle in the hunt for a Europa League spot. Our season-long projections still have them as currently punching above their weight, however, predicting they'll eventually finish the year in the 8th to 10th range. The Champions League (0.4%) is a fanciful dream, with Arsenal and Man City sewing that up, and Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea are all given a better chance of qualifying for the Europa League.



A top-half finish, plus a deep FA cup one (Fulham beat Sunderland in Round 4), would be a fantastic first season back in the top flight.

Wolves' situation is precarious but not imminently threatening. The supercomputer estimates there are five teams (Southampton, Bournemouth, Leeds, Everton and Nottingham Forest) with a higher chance of getting relegated than Lopetegui's side.



https://theanalyst.com/eu/2023/02/fulham-vs-wolves-prediction-and-preview/

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Marco Silva lifts lid on two Fulham transfers – 'Needed' both of them to succeed at Craven Cottage

Fulham manager Marco Silva has revealed they signed midfielder Joao Palhinha because they knew his quality was 'unquestionable'.

Palhinha joined Fulham in a €20m deal from Sporting Club de Portugal in the summer after impressing for the Portuguese side since arriving in 2020.

He had long been linked with a move to England as a result but it was Fulham who finally got him, moving quickly to secure his signature in the summer ahead of competition from the likes of Wolves.

That has proven to be a smart decision, with Palhinha establishing himself as a key player with a series of impressive performances in the heart of their midfield.

He's played a pivotal role in Fulham sitting sixth in the table and just three points outside the top five and Silva says they knew he would be a star.

"First, because João has quality, that is unquestionable," he told Eleven Sports when asked why they moved for him.

"Secondly, because we thought he would adapt very well to English football and because we felt that we needed a player with that profile to often free up our two other midfielders, the midfielders that we play in front of him as well.

"And luckily, he adapted very well. He was very well received and, normally, it is one of the characteristics that this club has, it receives very well. We have a good locker room that welcomed you very well and understood what our idea was."

Palhinha is not the only Portuguese player to arrive at Craven Cottage this season, with fellow countryman Cedric Soares joining from Arsenal in January.

That move was something of a surprise one given Fulham already have a first choice right back in Kenny Tete, who has also impressed this season.

Soares has arrived as his deputy, filling the role that Kevin Mbabu, who was sent on loan to Switzerland in January, had been playing this season.

He failed to really provide competition to Tete this season but Silva is hoping that isn't the case with Soares.

"We signed Cédric because we clearly wanted and needed a player like him for the position," he added.

"It will be very competitive between him and Kenny, who has been having a very good season, but we know that Cédric also gives us other things.

"He can play on the left when he needs to, and he gives us the maturity, quality and knowledge of the Premier League that he has."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/marco-silva-lifts-lid-two-fulham-transfers-needed-succeed-craven-cottage/

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Manor Solomon making his mark in England
After challenging couple of years of war and injury, the Israeli star is finally rounding into form with Fulham.


ISRAELI MIDFIELDER Manor Solomon celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal for Fulham in its 1-0 Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
(photo credit: MATTHEW CHILDS/REUTERS)

Manor Solomon has taken the English Premier League by storm.

The Israeli midfielder, who recently returned from being on the sidelines for a few months due to an injury, has made his mark on Fulham's past two wins in fine fashion.

Last week, the 23-year old scored his debut goal in England and the club's second marker coming off of the bench in a 2-0 Fulham victory over Nottingham Forest. This week, he did one better as he once again came in as a substitute against Brighton & Hove Albion and scored the late game-winner to bag another three points for Marco Silva's squad.

Now, Solomon readies for a date with Wolves on Friday night as the hopes and dreams of Israeli soccer fans lie squarely on the his shoulders.

"It's an incredible feeling," an exuberant Solomon said following the Brighton game. "We had a very tough match against a very good rival so I am very happy that we were able to win. I am always happy to help the club. I asked for the ball, saw open space, ran until I saw I was in good position and shot the ball into the far corner. I'm happy that I was able to score."

An unexpected outburst

No one expected this type of outburst in such a short period of time as the dailies and talk shows have all been "kvelling" about Solomon.

Following his first goal last week in a home tilt at Craven Cottage, emotions were running high.

"I'm really happy that I scored and I waited for this moment for a long time. We played really well and we had a lot of opportunities. I'm happy that I was able to help. When the ball went into the goal it was the most incredible feeling. My last goal was this past June with the Israel National Team. I was injured for some time and I am happy that I was able to score as I waited a long time for this."

Two for two in his last two is just what the doctor had ordered for Solomon as the fans sang his name to their hearts' delight, which is something that he will never, ever forget.

"The fans were amazing," Solomon said. "My first goal for Fulham and in England. I dreamed of this moment and I am happy that it happened. I can't wait to score and assist on more goals. I decided this summer to join Fulham as I knew the plans that were going to be in place. We have a dominant team and we can look at every one of our opponents in the white of their eyes. We showed our quality and strength."

Silva was thrilled about Solomon's performances and hopes that this is the sign of even better things to come.

"This was a very important goal for us. We didn't have a lot of luck in 2022. I know him well and I know that he had a tough year and not just because of the injury. He has quality and needs more time to continue to train and improve.

"He deserves all the credit. It was a great finish for him and another great moment for us. Everyone thought he would go in and finish with his right foot, but he did the opposite. He is improving more and more and he deserves all the best because 2022 was very tough for him both on and off of the pitch. He is helping us score goals and he loves the Premier League."

Solomon arrived on Loan from Shakhtar
Solomon arrived at Fulham over this past summer in a highly anticipated loan move from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk as hopes were high that the winger would show the football world why he had been touted as the heir apparent to Israel's last successful Premier League player, Yossi Benayoun.

After making his debut in early August against Liverpool, Solomon suffered a knee injury during a training match that kept him out of action for five months and finally made his return to the pitch in January 2023 as the page was turned on a difficult 2022 for the Kfar Saba native.

Solomon, who grew up in the Maccabi Petah Tikva youth system was sold to Shakhtar during the winter transfer window in January 2019 and went on to score 16 goals in 70 appearances, including some memorable strikes in Champions League against Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. As 2021 turned into 2022, there was much talk surrounding Solomon's future and how much he wanted to ply his trade in England, and when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 those talks ratcheted up even more.

However, first Solomon had to make a daring escape from Ukraine to Poland and then back to his native Israel in what was a very harrowing few days.

Following a number of appearances with the Israel National Team, which included a two-goal performance in a 2-1 win over Albania, the loan deal was made to send Solomon to Fulham. While he had to wait patiently to return to action and then for his turn to make an impact, he's thrilled to finally have that opportunity.

"2022 was the most difficult year of my life," Solomon stated. "It began in Ukraine and then I was injured. But I know that 2023 will be much better and I am happy that I have been able to play and enjoy the game once again. When the ball went in all I thought about was the challenges that I had gone through the past year."

    "2022 was the most difficult year of my life."
    Manor Salomon

One of the people who was closest to Solomon during his time at Shakhtar was his head coach, Roberto Ze Serbi, who was in charge last season. Now Ze Serbi is the bench boss at Brighton & Hove Albion and saw first-hand what his former pupil had done to his team.

"I'm upset about the result but happy for him," said the coach. "We were together in Ukraine for seven months, a very bad period of time that we will remember for the rest of our lives. During the game he is my rival, but afterwards he is my friend and my player. I can never forget the past."

Solomon also spoke about his relationship with the Italian.

"I had a good relationship with the coach and we went through a lot in Ukraine. I have a lot of friends from my time there and he is a top coach. It was great to see him and I want to wish him all the best going forward."

Now the talk is all about Solomon getting an opportunity to be a part of the starting lineup, especially after his two wonder goals which has left many fans thirsting for more, but the Israeli doesn't want to put the cart before the horse.

"Any time that I am on the bench I always want to be on the pitch and help out the team. When Nottingham began to press I saw that we had more open space to attack and we began to control the ball and move forward. I felt that I had a good chance to score. We knew that we had to win and we're happy that we did just that."

The Israeli also put his playing time with Fulham into perspective and noted he is happy to play whatever role he is asked to.

"Every player wants to start. but we can't forget that I came back from an injury just two months ago and the team had been in good shape. I have to get my confidence back through the minutes that I am playing and I hope that I will get a starting role. Whatever the coach tells me to do, I will. Everything is for the good of the club."   



https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-732451

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Fulham vs Wolves Prediction and Preview

...
They'll be eyeing up this encounter as a great opportunity to move further from danger. Despite their lofty league position, Fulham have actually conceded the most expected goals in the Premier League this season (41.2) but have conceded just 30 goals. Their overperformance of 11 goals is the highest in the competition so far this term and is in fact the highest in England. It suggests there are weaknesses within this Fulham side that are there to be exploited.
...

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2023/02/fulham-vs-wolves-prediction-and-preview/

This is so annoying.  "Fulham have actually conceded 41.2  expected goals".  No they haven't.  They have actually conceded 30.  Where do these 'expected goals' stats come from, anyway?!   

Instead of focusing on how much stronger the team has been versus the expectation of the algorithm that spits out these "expected goals," they double down.  The data model says they should have shipped 41.2 goals by now, so just wait - it's coming!

I would rephrase that conclusion.   It suggests there are STRENGTHS in this Fulham side that are there to be RESPECTED.