Thursday Fulham Stuff - 20/04/23...

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Back to the 1970s: 1975 and Moore's The Merrier

Welcome back to our infrequent series where we take a look back at the calendar years of the 1970s. In this arguably slightly self-indulgent ramble back to the 'good old days', we like to convince ourselves that everything in the world of football – and society in general – was better than it is currently, whilst at the same time rather contradictorily wondering out loud whether 'kids these days know they're born', such were the hardships supposedly faced by folk 'back then'.

Anyway, contrived introduction aside, this time out we are going to have a delve back through the archives and have a gander at the year that was 1975. This was a particularly pertinent year for yours truly as it was the first calendar year in which I had an all-consuming passion for the Beautiful Game.

Discovering football for the first time, as it were, at the end of the 1973-74 season, I became besotted with football throughout the entire 1974-75 campaign and so by the time 1974 was ushered out the door and 1975 welcomed in with open arms, I was totally in the thrall of all things football.

Race for The Title Hots Up
It was with this new-found excitement and obsession that I knew, for instance, that Leeds United were reigning league champions but in the midst of making rather a mess of their title defence, while Everton, Ipswich Town, Derby County, Middlesbrough and Stoke City were all going well in pursuit of the championship.

As for 'my' team, well, I had decided that I was a Liverpool supporter and I knew that the Anfield men were bubbling along near the leading pack under their new manager, a guy named Bob Paisley and a Boxing Day 4-1 victory over rivals Manchester City left them leading the pack at the turn of the year.

The country was led by a Labour government with Harold Wilson sitting in the Prime Ministerial hot seat, no doubt foot-tapping away to 'Lonely this Christmas' the Mud-inspired jingle that currently sat atop the charts.

The Cups That Cheer
First up in 1975 was the third round of the FA Cup on the opening Saturday of the year. Particular highlights were non-league Stafford Rangers and Leatherhead beating league opposition in the form of Rotherham United and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively, while Wycombe Wanderers and Altrincham kept dates with destiny and top-six First Division sides, Middlesbrough and Everton and came away with more than credible draws each time. Wycombe finally succumbed to Jack' Charlton's 'Boro 1-0 in a replay after a goalless draw, while Altrincham bowed out at Maine Road by a 2-0 scoreline after having first secured a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

The League Cup was already at the semi-final stage and not one side from the top flight had made it into the final four. Somehow, Chester from the Fourth Division had made it that far and into a two-legged tie with Second Division Aston Villa, managed by Ron Saunders. Meanwhile, the other semi was an all-second flight affair between Norwich City and Manchester United who had been surprisingly relegated the previous season.

Come the end of the season and all three of the Second Division sides would be promoted back to the top division, but as far as the League Cup went, there was not much in any of the semi-final matches. Chester and Villa drew 2-2 in the first leg of their semi, while Manchester United and Norwich did likewise. In the second legs, Villa just about scrambled past Chester 3-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate, while a single goal at Carrow Road was enough to put Norwich City into the final.

Also in January 1975, Brian Clough made a return to management when he put a disastrous 44-day spell in charge of Leeds United firmly behind him and took up a post at the City Ground as manager of Nottingham Forest.

Into February and much celebration reverberated around the nation as 'Little House of the Prarie' was televised for the first time, Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative Party, and the Scottish group, Pilot, hit the top of the charts in the first week of February with a song titled, erm, 'January'.

The Title Race Gets Interesting
Back to the battle for the title and a goalless Merseyside Derby at Anfield on February 22 left Stoke City atop the pile from Burnley on goal average only with both sides having played 31 games. I bet my mortgage against yours that particular scenario is never repeated in our lifetimes.

The race for the title was hotting up, though, with only four points separating Stoke from West Ham in ninth place. Meanwhile, the FA Cup was bubbling up also and with the last of the non-league sides finally eliminated, Ipswich, West Ham, Arsenal and Middlesbrough were amongst the favourites and all made it safely through to the quarter-finals to be played in early March.

Before these games could be played, though, a tragic train crash took place at Moorgate tube station and 43 people were killed.

March 1 1975 saw Aston Villa and Norwich City square off at Wembley in the League Cup Final and as Ron Saunders led his side out, it was the third successive final he had been one of the League Cup Final managers. In 1973 he had been in charge of Norwich City as they lost to Tottenham, a year later he'd led Manchester City to defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now here he was again hoping to make it third time lucky.

The match was a dour affair with not much goalmouth action occurring until the 80th minute when Villa won a corner. It was taken deep and Norwich 'keeper, Kevin Keelan, came for it but was caught in no man's land. Chris Nichol, the Villa centre-back, headed it goalwards only to see future Manchester City manager, Mel Machin, dive full length to tip the ball around the post. Different days, different rules and Machin was not even spoken to by the referee let alone booked or sent off.

Keelan managed to pull off a fantastic save from Ray Graydon's penalty, but unfortunately for the Norwich man, the ball rebounded back in his path and with no Norwich defender bothering to follow up the original shot, he had all the time in the world to slot home the only goal of the game.

Talking of different days and different conditions, the following week Arsenal and West Ham met in the quarter-final of the FA Cup at Highbury on what was possibly the muddiest pitch ever seen in top-class football in Britain. West Ham wore an all-white kit which simply must have been thrown away afterwards – no way was it ever going to get clean again. As for the match itself, a little-known striker by the name of Alan Taylor, who had been signed by West Ham from Fourth Division Rochdale scored twice to put the Hammers through to a semi-final clash with Bobby Robson's Ipswich Town at Villa Park.

In the other semi-final being played at Hillsborough, Birmingham City were favourites to progress at the expense of Second Division Fulham, led by Craven Cottage legend, Alec Stock. In the Fulham ranks were old stagers Alan Mullery, and the former England and West Ham captain, Bobby Moore.

Before these matches took place England had to encounter the latest helping of a 'Scottish Invasion' in the form of the Bay City Rollers and their timeless classic, 'Bye Bye Baby' that bothered the chart compilers at number one for no less than six weeks and ended up being the year's top-selling single.

Richard 'Sugar Plum' Briers and Felicity 'Treacle' Kendal starred in a new TV comedy aired by the BBC called 'The Good Life' and Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released in cinemas.

So, onto Villa Park and Hillsborough, then. Two tight matches ended up all square and so necessitated replays. Fulham and Birmingham managed a goal apiece at the first time of asking while Ipswich Town and West Ham cancelled each other out without a goal in sight.

Birmingham and Fulham replayed at Maine Road, Manchester and after 120 minutes the sides were still deadlocked. It was then that Fulham's John Mitchell stepped up to score the most important goal of his career to pinch it right at the death and send the Craven Cottagers wild with delight and to Wembley.

Clive Thomas Takes Centre Stage
Meanwhile, at Stamford Bridge West Ham and Ipswich were doing battle but even when combined they were no match for the undoubted star of the show: the one and only Clive Thomas – referee extraordinaire.

Ipswich made the early running and they had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed early on by Thomas before Alan Taylor struck again to give the Hammers the lead. Before half-time, Ipswich had equalised when West Ham's Billy Jennings sliced an attempted clearance through his own goal to send the sides in all-square.

Early in the second half, Thomas mysteriously disallowed another Ipswich strike and it was almost inevitable that West Ham would go on to grab a winner. This they did through that man Taylor once more.

Such was Ipswich's fury that day that manager Bobby Robson went to his grave three decades later convinced a great injustice had been done, while Ipswich captain, Mick Mills, simply refused to ever speak to Thomas again – this included during the pre-match handshake and coin toss in every subsequent match involving the two of them.

Not that West Ham were too concerned with Ipswich's grievances – they were through to their third FA Cup Final and a meeting with their old favourite son, Bobby Moore. Moore had been rather unceremoniously bundled out of Upton Park some 15 months earlier and had ended up at Second Division Fulham, where his ageing legs were compensated for by his still sharp and astute footballing mind.

By the time the two sides walked out at Wembley, the chase for the league title was done and dusted. And what a chase it had been! With no less than seven or eight sides in with a chance of taking the title right up to the last embers of the season, it was Dave Mackay and his Derby County side that finally prevailed by two points over Liverpool.

Baseball Champions!
It was a wonderful season with the lead changing hands constantly, but on Merseyside, it is still talked about as 'the one that got away'. Ironically, it was Everton and not Liverpool that looked to be favourites going into the closing weeks of the season but an awful run-in when the Blues lost to Carlisle United and Luton Town, who both ended up getting relegated and Sheffield United after leading 2-0 at one stage, did for the Toffees' title hopes.

Also going down were Chelsea, while Tommy Doc led Manchester United back to the Promised Land at the first attempt as Second Division champions.

More From Taylor
With Mud replacing the Bay City Rollers at number one with their cover of the old Buddy Holly hit 'Oh Boy', West Ham and Fulham met on a drizzly day at Wembley. The neutrals and the romantics wished for a Bobby Morre-inspired Fulham victory back at the scene of Moore's greatest triumph, but alas for the great man reality bit him and his teammates on the nether regions and two more goals from the man, Alan Taylor, secured the cup for West Ham.

Leeds United had recovered sufficiently from the debacle that was Brian Clough's forty-four days in charge to make it through to the European Cup Final in Paris, after defeating Barcelona in the semi-final. Although they played well in the final in the French capital against West German opponents, Bayern Munich, refereeing decisions and bad luck on the night conspired to consign Leeds to a 2-0 defeat. The rioting from some Leeds fans that followed resulted in Leeds being banned from Europe for a season.

The season wasn't quite over yet though, as the British Home Championship internationals still had to be played. England played out two draws with Northern Ireland and Wales, while Scotland beat the Irish and drew with the Welsh so setting up a winner-take-all clash between the Old Enemy at Wembley.

In what was probably the highlight of Don Revie's ill-fated three-year reign in charge of England, the home side ran out winners by the unlikely scoreline of 5-1 with Gerry Francis netting twice and Kevin Beattie, Colin Bell and David Johnson grabbing the others.

Next time out, we'll have a look at the second half of 1975 and see how Manchester United fared on their return to the First Division, how Derby County got on in their pursuit of the European Cup, what Dave Sexton and Bob Paisley had to say about matters and enjoy reminiscing about Billy Connolly hitting number one in the charts!



https://footballbh.net/2023/04/19/1975-part-one/

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'I am told': 'Special' Liverpool player is about to leave Anfield just a year after Klopp signed him - Romano

Fabio Carvalho is set to leave Liverpool just one year after joining Liverpool from Fulham.

Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Fabrizio Romano was discussing a potential summer clearout at Anfield, and he named Carvalho among those who will leave the club.

Interestingly, the journalist didn't note that this would be a loan exit, so it sounds as though the 'special' youngster could be on his way out permanently if the right offer comes in.

It's not all that shocking to hear that Carvalho could be going. After all, the youngster has barely played since the turn of the year and it's clear that he's not all that fancied by the Liverpool coaching staff.

Carvalho leaving
The journalist shared what he knows about Liverpool and Carvalho.

"I see Liverpool going for two or three midfielders because Naby Keita is out, Oxlade-Chamberlain is out and James Milner needs to decide on his future," Romano said.

"Will they also go for one more striker or another type of player in one of those positions? Fabio Carvalho I am told is also leaving. We have to see what solution they will find but he is young and he is never playing so it is important to clarify these things."

Shouldn't have joined
Fabio Carvalho really should never have joined Liverpool.

Yes, his stock was incredibly high after a remarkable season with Fulham, but at the age of just 20, he wasn't ready to play for a club like Liverpool, especially under a coach who doesn't utilise a system with a number 10.

The reality is that Carvalho should've stayed at Fulham and naturally progressed into a Premier League player.

It remains to be seen what this young man's next step is, but this move to Anfield hasn't worked out as planned.



https://tbrfootball.com/i-am-told-special-liverpool-player-is-about-to-leave-anfield-just-a-year-after-klopp-signed-him-romano/

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Injury expert shares Leeds United update ahead of crunch Premier League clash v Fulham

Leeds United will be without two first-team players for their Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday, according to injury expert, Ben Dinnery.

Max Wober returned to the bench for the 6-1 home defeat against Liverpool after recovering from his hamstring injury, which he sustained on international duty.

However, Tyler Adams and Stuart Dallas still remained sidelined for the trip to the capital, in what is shaping up to be a must-win game for Javi Gracia's men (Premier injuries).

Clearing up
The injury situation has cleared up for Leeds in recent weeks and it's something they must take advantage of. Of course, Adams is a huge loss, but there are still options for Gracia to call upon. It's essential that Wober returns to the starting XI for the trip to Fulham.

Eleven goals conceded in the space of just two matches is a diabolic return and not acceptable, regardless of the opposition. Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch have shown they're incapable of playing together and it's a partnership which simply has to be broken for the trip to Craven Cottage.

Back-to-back defeats means Leeds are now firmly entrenched in the battle to beat the drop and it's hard to put a positive spin on things at Elland Road. There are some favourable fixtures on the horizon but this squad have to show they're capable of putting a run of wins together.

It feels as if Saturday's game against Fulham could well be season-defining.


https://motleedsnews.com/news/injury-expert-shares-leeds-united-update-ahead-of-crunch-premier-league-clash-v-fulham/

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Club trying to overtake Fulham in race to sign free agent – Silva's side should beat their offer easily

Last week, we covered a couple of articles from Portugal regarding Fulham's interest in Mateus Uribe, who wants to leave Porto on a free this summer.

The Colombian is also being targeted by the likes of Lazio in Serie A, which is why Corriere dello Sport have an article on the player on Wednesday that mentions the Craven Cottage side.

It's said that Fulham want to bring him to the Premier League as they are allegedly already looking for a replacement for João Palhinha, who is reportedly courted by bigger clubs.
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We'll believe that when we see it, but the fact is Lazio have already made their move, and have offered Uribe a three-year deal worth €2m/year.

That equates to around £34k/week, which is a salary Fulham, if they really want the player, should easily be able to trump.

The good news for Marco Silva is that after the preliminary contacts between Lazio and Uribe, there was a 'standoff', as a decision is needed from both parties.

Firstly, the player has other suitors, and secondly, Maurizio Sarri was 'at first not too convinced' of the idea of signing the 32-year-old, as he saw him more as a regista than a mezzala.

That leaves the door open for Fulham to make their move.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-trying-overtake-fulham-race-sign-free-agent-silvas-side-beat-offer-easily/

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Join Us For The Season Finale!

Show your support at Motspur Park for Fulham FC Women's final game of the season!

Join us for the season finale of the 2022/23 London and South East Regional Division campaign as Fulham FC Women take on local rivals Sutton United Women on Sunday 7th May, kick-off 2.30pm.

Tickets for this fixture are priced at £5 for adults and just £1 for juniors.

Bring your friends and family along to enjoy matchday entertainment such as face-painting, balloon modelling, live music and more!

BUY TICKETS

Buying your ticket in advance will also automatically enter you into a prize draw to win one of five available signed shirts from your Fulham FC Women favourites! Further competition details can be found here.
How to Buy

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

Where to find us on matchday

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/19/join-us-for-the-season-finale/

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Fulham target heading for exit door – Wants €3m per season after tax

The Portuguese media today brings good news for Fulham or any other clubs who'd like to sign Mateus Uribe from FC Porto this summer.

As the midfielder's contract with the Dragons expires at the end of the season, newspaper A Bola writes it's unlikely he'll stay at the Dragons.

It's claimed that the player has many interesting offers on the table and he's 'tempted' to accept one of them.

A Bola doesn't confirm which clubs actually made moves, but recall that Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Marseille, Lazio and Flamengo have recently been linked to him.

The player's priority is said to be to stay in Europe, even though he 'doesn't rule out' accepting a good economic offer from elsewhere.

Despite his talks with Porto for a new contract, he demanded a salary worth €3m net per season. That would make €6m gross for the club to pay, and it's highly unlikely they'd accept that. That's why his exit becomes more and more likely.
Earlier today, we covered reports from Italy which said that despite Lazio's interest in the 32-year-old, there's been a 'stand-off' in their pursuit. So that could be one less club to compete with Fulham.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-target-heading-exit-door-wants-e3m-per-season-tax/

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Fulham promotion hero Marek Rodak seeking exit this summer after losing place to Bernd Leno

Fulham could be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, with Marek Rodak now considering leaving this summer.

The report from The Sun suggests that the 26-year-old wants to play first-team football elsewhere next season.

Marek Rodak is one of the few Fulham academy products that has stuck around for more than a couple of seasons in the first team.

The Slovakian international made his Fulham league debut in the 2019-20 season, after being handed his cup bow by Slavisa Jokanovic in 2017.

He was brought in to replace Marcus Bettinelli during that campaign, and despite being sent off in his second game, maintained his role as first-choice.

Fulham eventually went up through the play-offs thanks to Joe Bryan's heroics against Brentford.

However, when Fulham reached the Premier League, Rodak was replaced by Alphonse Areola.

He stuck around, and helped Fulham win the Championship last season with some fantastic displays.

Unfortunately, Bernd Leno was the goalkeeper brought in for this campaign, and Fulham look to have finally ended their yo-yo reputation.

The German has been sensational since his arrival, and given Rodak no chance to earn his place back.

It means Rodak will now have to leave Fulham this summer to start gaining regular minutes again.

Rodak seeking summer exit from Fulham
The report from The Sun states that, 'Fulham are looking for a new keeper as they fear Marek Rodak will move on in the summer.

'The Slovakia international, 26, has hardly figured this season and with just a year left on his deal Marco Silva is seeking cover.'

Rodak finally kept his first Premier League clean sheet away to Wolves in August after years of waiting.

The 26-year-old has gone on to make just seven appearances in all competitions this season.

He's been a dependable servant to the club, sticking around through all the ups and downs.

If Rodak does leave Fulham this summer, it means Marco Silva loses another homegrown player from his squad.

This could make recruiting a replacement for tricky, and one option would have been bringing Marcus Bettinelli back.

However, he's just signed a new deal at rivals Chelsea.

Paulo Gazzaniga will return from his loan spell at Girona this summer, but he too may not want to sit on the bench behind Leno.

Marco Silva may end up calling on his Portuguese and Brazilian connections to find Rodak's replacement.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-promotion-hero-marek-rodak-seeking-exit-this-summer-after-losing-place-to-bernd-leno/

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Klopp delight as Fulham warm to Liverpool sale for bullish Prem star, with replacement lined up

Liverpool will be on red alert after finding out that Fulham are warming to the idea of selling one of their best players, as the Cottagers have reportedly begun pursuing a Porto star to replace him.

This summer will be a crucial one for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. They must arrest their glaring midfield issues if they are to stand any chance of catching the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City next term. This means at least two midfielders must arrive at Anfield to give the position more energy and quality.

Liverpool put in plenty of groundwork ahead of a potential swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham. But they have since decided against moving for the England star.

The main reason for this is that Bellingham would cost around £120million to sign, which is almost all of Klopp's summer budget.

Instead, Liverpool have set their sights on Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, as well as some Premier League alternatives. Liverpool may struggle to bring Gravenberch to England though as Bayern hope to keep him.

The Reds must also add a new centre-back to their ranks to provide competition and backup for current options Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip. Joe Gomez is available to Klopp too, but he is not at the required standard.

Liverpool like Torino's Perr Schuurs, but they will have to fend off Newcastle for him as Eddie Howe's team have recently joined the chase.

Fellow Premier League side Fulham have just given Liverpool a boost in their hunt to add quality players to Klopp's squad in the summer. According to Sport Witness, who cite Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Fulham are gradually coming to the realisation that they may have to sell midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Liverpool in for Fulham man
Fulham only signed Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon in July last year. But after an impressive debut campaign in England, the 27-year-old has showed he has the ability to play at a higher level.

Liverpool are at the front of the queue to snap Palhinha up, while Manchester United are also interested in him.

Both teams have been left stunned by how quickly he has adapted to the Prem. When he is performing at his best, the Portugal international can dominate midfield pretty much on his own.

Liverpool are particularly attracted to Palhinha as he should not cost as much as some of their other midfield targets, such as Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.

It is claimed that Fulham have already decided on the player they want to replace Palhinha at Craven Cottage. The man in question is Porto ace Mateus Uribe.

And Fulham could make a big profit if they sell Palhinha to Liverpool and then bring Uribe to the Prem. The Porto midfielder is out of contract this summer, which means Fulham can sign him on a free transfer.

Marco Silva's side are not the only team to have identified the transfer as a clever piece of business. Lazio are also interested in Uribe and have offered him a contract worth around £34,000 a week.

But that is a figure Fulham should be able to shatter if they truly want the Colombian. After all, they have four players who earn £75,000 a week or more, according to Spotrac.



https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/klopp-delight-fulham-warm-liverpool-sale-bullish-prem-star-replacement-lined-up

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Leeds United: Phil Hay shares lack of Javi Gracia answers for Liverpool defeat amid Max Wober verdict ahead of Fulham

Javi Gracia refused to criticise the Leeds United players following the 6-1 defeat to Liverpool but he has to make changes for Fulham says Phil Hay.

Speaking to the Whites boss after the awful defeat at Elland Road on Monday night (17 April) The Athletic reporter questioned him over how he fixes a team that has conceded 11 goals in two games, but the Spaniard would only focus on his own failings.

Hay believes that Max Wober's return to the bench after injury means the Austrian defender must start on Saturday (22 April) if at all possible with changes to the line up now unavoidable.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Monday Club podcast for The Square Ball (18 April, 12m) he said of Gracia: "He said, 'I don't have an explanation for this'. I asked him, 'Well doesn't that make it difficult to fix if it's not clear what's going on?. He just said, 'Look, I only want to be critical of my own performance... that's the only thing I want to pick holes in'.

"But you would think that there are going to have to be changes again before Fulham. The issue is what does he actually do?

"You can get [Willy] Gnonto into the team, you've got people like [Crysencio] Summerville and so on. Wober was on the bench and I think if he's fully fit has got to play. Because they need something at Fulham this weekend, they really do."

Panic stations
Nobody saw the second half surrender to Crystal Palace on 9 April coming, and presumably Gracia didn't see the follow-up hammering to Liverpool coming either or he wouldn't have put those players out.

But if he doesn't see a way to fix it then it is going to be an awful final few weeks of the season ahead of a return to the Championship.

It's an increasingly rare quality for someone to look at themselves before apportioning blame elsewhere, but after some of the performances at Elland Road this week there has to be consequences in this case.

Wober, who is a good defender in himself but has transformed the Leeds United defence to a startling degree since arriving in January, is a must if he can play.

It sounds like hyperbole but if the Austrian can recapture the form he was in prior to getting injured on international duty he might be the difference between top flight survival or relegation.

The defence was a mess against Liverpool but both Robin Koch and Junior Firpo have looked far better next to Wober.

Willy Gnonto's reduced status is looking increasingly strange and he should be used but the central midfield looked like more of a concern in both of the last two outings, so the manager is going to have to find answers fast.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-phil-hay-shares-lack-of-javi-gracia-answers-for-liverpool-defeat-amid-max-wober-verdict-ahead-of-fulham/

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Javi Gracia needs to use £11m Leeds man in new role, to combine left-footed duo at Fulham - Opinion

Having watched his Leeds United side lose 5-1 to Palace and 6-1 to Liverpool, Javi Gracia must make changes at the back and with both Liam Cooper and Max Wober fit – both have to start, and here is how he can combine both.

Danny Murphy has said this week that Pascal Struijk cannot play for Leeds again. He has started the last four games at centre-back – in which Leeds have conceded a whopping 16 goals. He lacks the intensity and experience needed.

Cooper has been on the bench for a number of games now and is fit, and raring to go. Meanwhile, Wober was in the squad on Monday night. Both are available for selection come Saturday lunchtime when we face Fulham in London.

But given both players are the same position, alongside mainstay Robin Koch – how can Gracia maintain a four-man defence, but include both players? A new role for £11m Wober might be the answer to Leeds and Gracia's woes.

Cooper and Wober have to start and here is how Leeds can combine both
It was obvious that Struijk that needed replacing ahead of Fulham, watching him struggle on Monday night. But it was clear that Leeds were also overrun in the middle of the park. Brenden Aaronson was almost playing as a striker.

If Gracia wants to play a side that are going to sit off the ball – likely to be a similar approach away at Fulham, then why use Aaronson? He is a player that can change games. But, his best attribute is work rate and pressing.

Leeds, if we are going to play more defensively and try to stop Fulham on Saturday, then we are better packing the middle of the park. Gracia should use Wober, but at the base of the midfield in the Tyler Adams role with Marc Roca.

With the experience and leadership of Cooper at centre-back with Robin Koch, and Wober in front of the defence, it would also allow Weston McKennie to get forward. Both Cooper and Wober need to start – and this is the best way.



https://www.leedsunited.news/news/leeds-need-to-start-liam-cooper-and-max-wober-and-here-is-how-javi-gracia-can-do-it/

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Pascal Struijk axed and Adam Forshaw makes first 2023 start - Leeds United predicted XI vs Fulham

Javi Gracia is predicted to change his Leeds United system and hand Adam Forshaw a first start this year as he looks to stop the rot at Fulham.

Coming off the back of two straight home thrashings, with 11 goals conceded, the Spaniard has to make changes for the trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday (22 April) in a bid to get the Whites back on track in the relegation battle.

The defence was awful and the midfield virtually non-existent during the 6-1 defeat to Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday (17 April), but unfortunately for Leeds their alternative options in those areas aren't as great as further forward.

In an attempt to make the centre of midfield something of a barrier to the embattled back line Gracia is predicted to switch from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3, and bring Forshaw in for his first start since the 0-0 draw on New Year's Eve at Newcastle, with Brenden Aaronson benched.

Pascal Struijk and Rasmus Kristensen pay the price for bad games against Liverpool, and Max Wober should return with so many hopes pinned to him, along with Luke Ayling who has fewer.

The final change sees Willy Gnonto finally restored to the starting line up in place of Luis Sinisterra, who is the most unfortunate to drop out.

Illan Meslier was likened to "a kid in goal" by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports on Monday, but realistically there is no better option in the Leeds United squad.

Robin Koch was the best of a bad bunch in defence against Liverpool, but he and Junior Firpo, who was very poor, look much improved when Wober is available and Gracia will be desperately hoping that is again the case now that the Austrian appears to be back from injury, after being on the bench last time out.

Ayling has been in pretty calamitous form himself defensively but Kristensen was just as bad in the 6-1 and doesn't provide the same leadership as the Elland Road veteran which just about gives him the edge.

In midfield Weston McKennie frankly should be dropped after his performance, while Marc Roca wasn't a huge deal better, but with Tyler Adams injured and Gracia not giving the likes of Darko Gyabi a sniff the pair cling on, with Forshaw's introduction off the bench against Liverpool signifying he is the preference.

Jack Harrison joins Gnonto, with the Englishman's three goals and two assists under the new manager edging out the unlucky Sinisterra's two goals to find a place for the Italian's return.

Rodrigo keeps his place up front with Patrick Bamford apparently injured again and Georginio Rutter nowhere near ready.


https://motleedsnews.com/news/pascal-struijk-axed-and-adam-forshaw-makes-first-2023-start-leeds-united-predicted-xi-vs-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

'Wober, Gnonto and Summerville in' – Phil Hay suggests team to get a result at Fulham this weekend

Phil Hay has suggested changes to the team that lost heavily to Liverpool on Monday night ahead of this weekend's Fulham game.

Leeds' 6-1 defeat to Liverpool left them in 16th place in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone. The defeat at Elland Road follows the 5-1 thrashing by Crystal Palace a week ago.

Hay says he does not understand why the team crumbled, but he believes changes must be made:

"He said, 'I don't have an explanation for this'. I asked him, 'Well doesn't that make it difficult to fix if it's not clear what's going on?. He just said, 'Look, I only want to be critical of my own performance... that's the only thing I want to pick holes in'.

"But you would think that there are going to have to be changes again before Fulham. The issue is what does he actually do?

"You can get [Willy] Gnonto into the team, you've got people like [Crysencio] Summerville and so on. Wober was on the bench and I think if he's fully fit has got to play. Because they need something at Fulham this weekend, they really do."

The Whites have three crucial games against Fulham, Leicester City and Bournemouth over the next 10 days.



https://www.theleedspress.com/hay-suggests-team-at-fulham-35352/

[WhiteJC]

Injury expert shares Fulham update ahead of Leeds United Premier League showdown

Fulham are set to be without four first-team players for their Premier League clash against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.

Neeskens Kebano is a long-term absentee from Marco Silva's squad after suffering an Achilles injury towards the back end of 2022. Furthermore, according to Dinnery, Layvin Kurzawa is also out of action with a knee problem (Premier injuries).

Aleksandar Mitrovic is also missing, with the Serbian striker currently completing his eight-match ban after his sending-off against Manchester United.

One other absentee for Silva to contend with is Dan James, with the Leeds loanee unable to play against his parent club.

Bounce back
The pressure is firmly on Javi Gracia to turn this around. He was brought to the club to steer Leeds to safety and difficult moments, such as this, are where he will earn his money. There simply has to be more cohesion defensively, and hopefully, Max Wober returning will be a big plus point.

The Austrian was on the bench against Liverpool and has proven himself to be a solid addition since his January arrival. He simply has to return to the starting XI against Fulham on Saturday (22 April). The Spaniard could even consider reintroducing Liam Cooper into the fray to add some much-needed leadership to the Whites' backline.

It's been a damaging week and it could well prove to be the catalyst for an extremely nerve-wracking end of the 2022/23 season. The players do need to take some responsibility for their inability to defend, but it's an issue Gracia must deal with, and rectify fast.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/injury-expert-shares-fulham-update-ahead-of-leeds-united-premier-league-showdown/

[WhiteJC]

Middlesbrough vs Hull City team news: Mowatt starts and Muniz on bench

MICHAEL Carrick has made one change to his Middlesbrough side for the visit of Hull City, with Alex Mowatt replacing the injured Aaron Ramsey.

 Mowatt earned the start after impressing from the bench against Norwich when he replaced the injured Aston Villa loanee.

Ramsey, Riley McGree and Dael Fry are again all missing, but Marcus Forss has shaken off the knock he picked up against the Canaries and starts on the right flank for Boro.

Hayden Hackney looks set to start in a more advanced role on the left, with Mowatt partnering Jonny Howson in midfield.

On the bench, Rodrigo Muniz returns to the matchday squad for the first time since the win at Birmingham in early January.

Boro: Steffen, Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Mowatt; Forss, Akpom, Hackney; Archer

Subs: Roberts, Bola, Dijksteel, Barlaser, Crooks, Jones, Muniz

Hull: Darlow, Elder, Greaves, McLoughlin, Coyle (c), Seri, Slater, Vaughan, Pelkas, Traore, Allahyar.

Subs: Ingram, Longman, Docherty, Woods, Ozan, A Taylor, Simons.



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/23467662.middlesbrough-vs-hull-city-team-news-mowatt-starts-muniz-bench/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham to run rule over Ayr United youth prospect Dylan Watret

The Cottagers are among big name clubs down south to have taken an interest in another rising United star.

Premier League side Fulham are to run the rule over Ayr's teenage starlet Dylan Watret.

The 16-year-old full back is the latest United Academy prospect to head for a high profile training stint down south.

Watret, who also spent last week at League One side Barnsley, is attracting the eye of top scouts after his emergence on the Somerset scene.

He will now head for a spell with Marco Silva's Cottagers on Monday.

Two appearances off the bench for Lee Bullen's first team have put the schoolkid on the radar across the border.

Watret signed a two and a half year deal at Somerset when inking his first professional contract with the club in February.

The former Bellfield youth, who has been in the United setup since age nine, is now getting the chance to turn heads while gaining vital training experience down south.

It follows Ollie Ecrepont's stint at fellow Premier League side Brentford earlier this season - with the keeper returning to the Bees for a second spell last week.

United managing director, Graeme Mathie, told the Ayrshire Post: "It's further confirmation of the fantastic work being done by everyone within our Academy setup here at Ayr United.

"The key thing for any young player is development and a pathway within the game.

"Much like with Ollie, this is a great experience for Dylan to go and learn and continue his already impressive development which has seen him involved with our first team this season.

"In terms of the bigger picture - for our young players to consistently enter the conversation at some of the country's biggest names is never a bad thing and says a lot for the fabric of our club moving forward."



https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/fulham-run-rule-over-ayr-29756951

[WhiteJC]

Wilson: 'Leeds are dangerous'
Harry Wilson has insisted that Fulham will not be taking a lowly Leeds side lightly ahead of Saturday's early kick off at Craven Cottage.

The Welsh winger, whose first league goal of the season, set the Whites on their way to a first win in six matches at Everton last weekend poured cold water on the idea that Leeds' concession of eleven goals in their last two games makes the weekend fixture a foregone conclusion.

He told FFCTV:

    On both of them occasions, we played really well. To go away there early on in the season, we went a goal behind in that game, to pull back in the way that we did and score the goals that we did was great. The FA Cup win wasn't comfortable – they had their chances in that game. We know what a dangerous team they can be and, similar to Everton, they are down there and they'll be scrapping for their lives. We know that they'll be coming here and giving it their all, but, as always when we play at home, if we play well – we are confident of getting the result.

Wilson revealed that confidence in the Fulham camp is high after their superb showing at Goodison Park.

    "It was an important game for us. Of late, we've not been on the best of runs, so we were desperate to get back to winning ways. Going there and the situation they were in, we knew it was a must win for them but, in our dressing room, it was a must win for us to get that winning back and make sure we finish the season strong.

He was particularly pleased with the quality of his own strike, which came as Marco Silva's side were under the cosh at the start of the second half.

    I think it was a pretty good team move. Kenny's ball to the back post and then Wili showed his quality in setting it back – for me, it sat up lovely for me to run onto with my left foot. I'd missed a couple before that: the one that hit the post that led to first goal, but the one before that I was disappointed not to do better with. For any ex-Liverpool player and a Liverpool fan to score against Everton, is a great feeling.

    For the majority of the season we've played great football and the results have been good. I don't think we've really gone through a spell where we've gone so long without a win, so we were all desperate that we got that winning feeling back. When you're not winning and results aren't going your way, the confidence can be affected within the squad. For us, it was about going out there, getting back to the way that we play, putting in a good performance and, most importantly, getting that win.

Wilson praised his Welsh international team-mate Dan James, who will miss out a reunion with his parent club on Saturday, for his selfless showing on Merseyside.

    That's a killer for DJ! He deserved his goal because up until that moment, his work off the ball, getting us up the pitch and his runs in behind gave us a great platform to build from. I think it was a great ball from Kenny, he showed his pace and movement in behind and when it fell on his left foot, it was a great finish. I'm sure whoever comes in for him will be looking to put in a great performance.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/04/wilson-leeds-are-dangerous/

[WhiteJC]

Leeds United: BT Sports pundit suggests Adam Forshaw can help improve Weston McKennie attacking output

Tony Dorigo believes Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw could be the missing ingredient that could help free up Weston McKennie in the final third.

Forshaw, 32, returned to the Leeds fold after a lengthy injury layoff with a 13-cameo during the dismal 6-1 defeat against Liverpool on Monday night (17 April).

Writing in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post (19 April), the BT Sport pundit admitted that the Englishman's entrance to make a three-man midfield in the closing stages added more security to Javi Gracia's side.

The former Whites legend then suggested that Gracia should bring Forshaw into the fold for the club's upcoming Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday (22 April) – a move which could then allow on-loan midfielder McKennie to play more of a box-to-box role.

He wrote: "You look at the wide men, they can swap in and out and that leaves the structure of the team the same but looking at the end of the Liverpool game he brought Adam Forshaw in to make a three in the middle because we were over-run in there.

"With a little more help it might give us a more secure look and free Weston McKennie to play more of his natural game, going box to box and getting forward.

"All these attacking players we've got, when we're playing well and we have the ball, are a real problem for the opposition but sometimes out of possession we need to be stronger when we lose the ball high up the pitch.

"That's where we came unstuck too often against Liverpool. Maybe an extra body in midfield will be an option he'll look at."

Necessary option
Leeds were completely overrun in the middle of the park against Liverpool, and altering into a three-man midfield is almost a necessity going forward.

With Liverpool fielding Trent Alexander-Arnold as an inverted full-back to join their already three-man midfield, Marc Roca and McKennie were simply outnumbered all game long.

It wasn't as though the midfield duo could do much to stop the rampant Reds from asserting their dominance, as they simply had too many players to mark and not enough help from Leeds' attacking quartet.

Bringing Forshaw into midfield won't just add an extra body to compete in the middle of the park, but it could also have the twin effect of releasing McKennie from his shackles and allowing the Juventus loanee to get into the final third more often.

During the most recent international break, McKennie showed glimmers of his attacking output, netting a brace against Grenada and getting the crucial assist in the 1-0 win over El Salvador, but this creativity has been in short supply when wearing a Leeds shirt.

Dorigo highlights a good point here and it is surely a tactical switch that Gracia will be tempted to initiate.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-bt-sports-pundit-suggests-adam-forshaw-can-help-improve-weston-mckennie-attacking-output/

[demeant0r]

Klopp delight as Fulham warm to Liverpool sale for bullish Prem star, with replacement lined up

Liverpool will be on red alert after finding out that Fulham are warming to the idea of selling one of their best players, as the Cottagers have reportedly begun pursuing a Porto star to replace him.

This summer will be a crucial one for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. They must arrest their glaring midfield issues if they are to stand any chance of catching the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City next term. This means at least two midfielders must arrive at Anfield to give the position more energy and quality.

Liverpool put in plenty of groundwork ahead of a potential swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham. But they have since decided against moving for the England star.

The main reason for this is that Bellingham would cost around £120million to sign, which is almost all of Klopp's summer budget.

Instead, Liverpool have set their sights on Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, as well as some Premier League alternatives. Liverpool may struggle to bring Gravenberch to England though as Bayern hope to keep him.

The Reds must also add a new centre-back to their ranks to provide competition and backup for current options Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip. Joe Gomez is available to Klopp too, but he is not at the required standard.

Liverpool like Torino's Perr Schuurs, but they will have to fend off Newcastle for him as Eddie Howe's team have recently joined the chase.

Fellow Premier League side Fulham have just given Liverpool a boost in their hunt to add quality players to Klopp's squad in the summer. According to Sport Witness, who cite Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Fulham are gradually coming to the realisation that they may have to sell midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Liverpool in for Fulham man
Fulham only signed Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon in July last year. But after an impressive debut campaign in England, the 27-year-old has showed he has the ability to play at a higher level.

Liverpool are at the front of the queue to snap Palhinha up, while Manchester United are also interested in him.

Both teams have been left stunned by how quickly he has adapted to the Prem. When he is performing at his best, the Portugal international can dominate midfield pretty much on his own.

Liverpool are particularly attracted to Palhinha as he should not cost as much as some of their other midfield targets, such as Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.

It is claimed that Fulham have already decided on the player they want to replace Palhinha at Craven Cottage. The man in question is Porto ace Mateus Uribe.

And Fulham could make a big profit if they sell Palhinha to Liverpool and then bring Uribe to the Prem. The Porto midfielder is out of contract this summer, which means Fulham can sign him on a free transfer.

Marco Silva's side are not the only team to have identified the transfer as a clever piece of business. Lazio are also interested in Uribe and have offered him a contract worth around £34,000 a week.

But that is a figure Fulham should be able to shatter if they truly want the Colombian. After all, they have four players who earn £75,000 a week or more, according to Spotrac.



https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/klopp-delight-fulham-warm-liverpool-sale-bullish-prem-star-replacement-lined-up

Where in the love would Liverpool get the idea that we're interested in selling Palhinha?

[Stoneleigh Loyalist]

His Agent!