Saturday Fulham Stuff - 16/09/23...

[WhiteJC]

Silva: Palhinha contract plans predate Bayern interest
Marco Silva revealed this afternoon that Fulham's discussions about extending João Palhinha's contract at Craven Cottage began well before Bayern Munich tried to sign the Portuguese midfielder at the end of the summer transfer window.

The former Sporting midfielder looked set to join Bayern earlier this month only for the deal to collapse at the eleventh hour because the Whites were unable to sign a replacement before the closure of the German transfer window. Palhinha's decision to sign a new five-year deal to remain in SW6 surprised the footballing community last night – but Silva insists talks between the 28 year-old midfield had the club had started months earlier.

Silva told his press conference today:

"It was not something that we started after the Bayern Munich stuff. This conversation about Joao renewing his contract started much earlier. That is true and Joao is not talking about it because he doesn't need to, but he knows I'm saying the truth. The conversations started before that. Almost everything was prepared before that.

Of course, another club, a big club came for a player from our squad, that's just the consequence from last season which I mentioned several times to you, and about the quality of the player of course. It was a matter of time."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/silva-palhinha-contract-plans-predate-bayern-interest/

[WhiteJC]

Up next: Luton Town (h)
If I'd have suggested after the frustrating afternoon at the Etihad, that Fulham would be returning post the international break, with a spring in their step, then a few Hammyend readers might have questioned my sanity. After an underwhelming transfer deadline day that saw João Palhinha nearly leave for Bayern Munich, the Whites were soundly beaten by Manchester City and VAR – and there was more concern about Marco Silva's future as we read regularly about the German giants would return for Palhinha in the new year. But Thursday night's news that both Palhinha and Harrison Reed had signed contract extensions has buoyed both the supporters and Silva – meaning that there will be a bit of buzz around Craven Cottage for this afternoon's visit of Luton Town as the Fulham faithful pays tribute to Mohamed Al-Fayed at the first home game since the former chairman's passing.

Silva even had a message for the cynics who were quick to suggest that all Palhinha's new deal might have done is raise the asking price in January. "I knew that first thing that when he signed a contract, some people start to talk about break clause and all this stuff, it is just for us to laugh a little bit. I like to laugh sometimes with this situation." For those who don't know him well, the Fulham head coach is rather whimiscal and we've said for months that the silly speculation surrounding the Whites should prompt smiles rather than scratching of heads. Nobody would begrudge Palhinha, who established himself as one of the best enforcers in Europe during a sensational first season in SW6, a move to a top side but it felt as if Bayern Munich would not only be getting our Portuguese prince of tackling on the cheap but also removing any hope of building on a brilliant return to the top flight. If all the extension does is strengthen Fulham's bargaining position whilst giving us a few more months of excellence from the former Sporting schemer, it is money well spent.

There's a danger that the reliabiity of Reed gets overlooked in all that discussion about Palhinha and that would be unfair to one of Fulham's most improved players under Silva. The former Southampton midfielder was one of the few players – perhaps alongside his near namesake Bobby Decordova-Reid – to emerge with his standing enhanced from a miserable relegation season under Scott Parker, having proven that he belonged in the top flight. His reading of the game and energy made him the perfect shield for an overworked defence, but Silva spotted that the boy from Worthing had more in his locker. I was sceptical that Reed should be anything other than a ball-winner but, redeployed as something closer to a box-to-box midfielder, he has become one of the country's most consistent midfielders and is a fine foil for Palhinha. His elevation to the club's leadership quartet suggests that he could become a future Fulham captain – and hearing that he was 'buzzing' after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal was wonderful news.

Silva, who has sounded a discordent note on Fulham's recruitment policy in recent months, even professed himself pleased with his squad – pledging to do the fans' proud. This correspondent would have preferred another striker and maybe a bit more cover in central midfield, especially given the knee injuries that have interrupted Sasa Lukic's best spell since the Serbian signed for the Whites and meant Tom Cairney barely lasted fifteen minutes in Manchester, but the boss seems lifted by the arrival of Alex Iwobi, whom he worked with at Everton whilst Timothy Castagne is a cracking signing. Much is made of Raul Jiménez's top flight goal drought, but the former Wolves forward was banging them in for fun over the past week having returned to the Mexico squad, which can only boost his confidence.

Luton offer a timely litmus test for our season, especially as it is difficult work out quite where the Whites stand after an August that seemed to provoke every emotion. Edging past an Everton side who haven't impressed at all looks worse in retrospect – and Fulham were extremely fortunate that Sean Dyche's boys looked like they wouldn't be able to finish their dinner on the opening weekend – whilst the batterings handed out by Brentford and Manchester City, even though both teams were helped by the officials, had us all worrying. The optimism comes from a brilliant battling performance at Arsenal, where Silva's side showed superb spirit to grab a late point despite Calvin Bassey's red card, and progress past Spurs in the League Cup when Fulham appeared to have been transformed into excellent penalty takers.

The Hatters might travel to SW6 without a Premier League point after a tough start, but Rob Edwards' side shouldn't be dismissed as cannon fodder. They'll view a game against a Fulham side yet to hit their stride as an opportunity to get some points on the board – and the returning Elijah Adebayo, who scored against us at Kenilworth Road, and Cauley Woodrow, no stranger to stunning the Cottage when he came back with Barnsley, will be eager to prove their own points against their old club. Edwards will only have to pin the words of Garth Crooks on the dressing room wall to inspire a response from his players, whilst the Hatters should be boosted by the return of their inspirational leader Tom Lockyer with shrewd loan signings Sambi Lokonga and Teden Mengi in line to make their debuts.

Luton's journey back to the top tier against all the odds – especially after their disgraceful treatment at the hands of the football authorities some fifteen years ago – has been one of the game's most uplifting stories. Edwards, a clever coach, will have his side well-drilled to stifle Fulham's flair and anyone who appreciated Ross Barkley's terrific talent when he burst on the scene at Goodison Park will be hoping the man who engineered Forest Green Rovers' remarkable promotion from League Two can coax the midfield maestro back towards his brilliant best. It would be very Fulhamish for the Whites to hand the Hatters their first points of what has been a testing season, but Silva ensured his side were far from a soft touch last term – and he has already warned his charges about the dangers of underestimating this afternoon's opposition.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Ream; Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Willian, Pereira; Jiménez. Subs: Rodak, Castagne, Bassey, Harris, Iwobi, Traoré, Decordova-Reid, Vinicius, Muniz.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/up-next-luton-town-h-2/

[WhiteJC]

Hatters boss believes it's too early to start labelling games as six-pointers
Town chief confident his side can get something from every top flight fixture

Luton boss Rob Edwards feels it is too early in the season to start labelling games as six pointers, as he believes his side have a chance of getting a result in every match this play this term.

The Hatters start a run of four matches at Fulham this afternoon where it appears on paper at least, that they simply have to pick up some points if they are to survive in the top flight this term.

Following the trip to Craven Cottage, Town then entertain Wolves next weekend, before a trip to Everton and a home match against Burnley rescheduled for Tuesday, October 3.

With all the sides currently in the bottom half of the the table, Everton and Burnley occupying two of the relegation places, Luton the other, then the quartet of fixtures represent a huge chance for the Hatters to get their campaign up and running.

Ahead of the contest, Edwards didn't want to attach any extra importance to the upcoming matches though, as he said: "We go into every game, whether I'm naive, or you can call me whatever you want, but I was going into Brighton and Chelsea away expecting that we'll be in the game and it's an opportunity for three points.

"We have to feel like that.

"I get the question, it's quite funny this year already, people are bigging up certain games as relegation battles and six-pointers.

"We're very, very early in the season, but every game is an opportunity for us to win or get points in the league, we have to see it like that."

Fulham, under Marco Silva, are no gimme in the Premier League though, as after winning promotion in 2021, then managed to not just stay up last term, but go on and flourish, finishing in an impressive 10th place.

Although they have taken just four points from their first four games, the Cottagers have gone up against both Arsenal and Manchester City, drawing 2-2 at the Emirates, before a 5-1 thrashing at the champions, which only came about following a controversial goal scored by Nathan Ake when the score was 1-1.

Edwards knows that West Londoners will be taxing opponents, particularly on home soil, as he continued: "Every game away in the Premier League, especially for the newly-promoted sides, is difficult and Saturday will be no different.

"Fulham are a very good footballing team, they've had a difficult run of fixtures recently but they're a very good team and we're aware of their strengths.

"Marco Silva's a top manager, so what we've got to make sure we do is learn from all elements of the three games we've had so far.

"They're a good team, with very good individuals and well-coached.

"Obviously, being at home, of course they're going to be favourites, but we'll go there with a real gameplan and look to try and build on what was, in the main, a good performance against West Ham.

"We'll certainly be looking to try and win the game."

Fulham are having to manage without their 14-goal striker from last year, a player who always enjoyed scoring against Luton, Serbian forward Aleksander Mitrovic.

Tempted away by Saudi club Al-Hilal last month, it has seen the Cottagers bolster their forward line with the addition of Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who is yet to score, while they also shelled out £22m on deadline day to bring in Everton's Alex Iwobi as well.

Edwards always felt they would be able to cope with such a high profile departure, saying: "Bringing in Raul Jimenez, he's a very, very good player, but they've got excellent players around that.

"They weren't just a one-man team.

"Marco Silva and his staff are very, very good, so they're always going to be able to find ways.

"We've seen that with a number of different teams recently.

"Big players have left but teams can still improve even, because they've got to find a different way.

"We'll say this about every single team, they've all got good players going forward and that's what you've got to expect at this level.

"So we've got to be able to deal with that and that's got to give us a good platform then to hopefully be able to go and attack, but that solidity is something we've got to really focus on."

Although Luton are yet to register a point, losing to Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham, Edwards believes he has seen enough progress in each fixture to know it won't be long before they do.

He added: "It's only been three games but we've improved in each of the three of them.

"We've got to make sure we don't give any gifts away and that we're very compact and resilient when we need to be.

"We need to defend the box very well, but be more ruthless in those transitional moments or when we do get those opportunities to have attempts on goal.

"We had more shots and more attempts than West Ham in the last game, maybe better chances as well, but we still came off as the losing side.

"We've got to make sure that, at both ends of the pitch, we're more ruthless."



https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/hatters-boss-believes-its-too-early-to-start-labelling-games-as-six-pointers-4338534

[WhiteJC]

Silva on his 'unbelievable' Fulham century
Marco Silva says it is 'unbelievable' that he will take bring up a century of competitive games in charge of Fulham when Luton Town come to Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Fulham head coach told his press conference yesterday that he was unaware of the impending milestone until just before he was due to address the media and wants to mark his landmark match with a win against the Hatters. Silva, who led Fulham to tenth in the top flight last term having steered the Whites back to the Premier League after taking over from Scott Parker two summers ago, said:

    "How time flies! Carmelo [Mifsud, Fulham's director of communications] mentioned that to me before the press conference started. I didn't know that. It's a nice number, it is a good number and time flies, it's unbelievable. It has been not a long, long time but it has been a good time. Sometimes football is so intense, the job is so intense – it is the way I like to live my life as well – that sometimes you don't feel the time going. The reality that it is already one hundred official matches is going to be tomorrow. It is a nice number, but again, what is in my mind is trying to stamp that number with three points in a game that is going to be really tough for us."

Silva is confident that his side will improve now that a difficult August is behind them.

    "I'm going to tell you that we have to play football matches, we have to try to get points, we have to try to win matches – it doesn't matter when. Under really difficult circumstances last month, we had the four Premier League games and the Carabao Cup game against Tottenham a tough, tough side, we wanted to have more points, it is true. But we were under difficult circumstances. I didn't have one day from the beginning of the season with all of the squad ready to work and of course other circumstances that we could not control, we have spoken [about] before.

    We have been competitive in all of the games. Things that we cannot control make things more difficult for us, like the penalty against Brentford, some mistakes we made against Brentford, the offside goal against City and the penalty that for me were clear mistakes, the type of things we cannot control. It is not an excuse for us, [I ] prefer to look forward and we can improve and we are going to improve – I'm one hundred per cent sure. We need time to gel, to create the connections between the players that are here from last season and the new players that have arrived, but we will do our best to win football matches. We have to do our job now, winning matches inside the pitch."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/silva-on-his-unbelievable-fulham-century/

[filham]

The new contract for Palhinha is puzzling but it seems as though he may have negotiated an immediate increase in salary while making his January move to Munich more difficult.
I guess it is the ultimate example of a bird in the hand being worth two in the bush.

[bill taylors apprentice]

The new contract for Palhinha is puzzling but it seems as though he may have negotiated an immediate increase in salary while making his January move to Munich more difficult.
I guess it is the ultimate example of a bird in the hand being worth two in the bush.

Not puzzling, perfectly reasonable that the club would reassess the contract of players like Palhinha well before the end of the contract if they become vital parts of the team.

Easy to forget that a player like Cairney who as good as he is will play less games but probably be on double Palhinha's salary.

This is due to TC's long time with the club and previous renegotiation's, so after signing Joao and doubling his money from Sporting he was still on a relatively low salary for his status at the end of last season.

No reason to assume it was only in response to Bayens approach, after all Silva has said so.   

[WhiteJC]

The worst Premier League team of the season so far - including Everton, Fulham, and Sheffield Utd stars
These players are yet to find their best form in the Premier League this season.

The international break, while unwanted by many football fans, does at least give us the opportunity to reflect on what we have seen during the early stages of the current Premier League campaign. By now most clubs, with the exceptions of Luton Town and Burnley, have played four matches in the top flight, and while many are thriving, there are plenty of others who are not.

Earlier in the week we took a glance at the Premier League Team of the Season so far, according to the statisticians at Whoscored, and now, using that same data, we're looking at a starting XI of the division's lowest performing players at the present moment in time.

But there will be no hatchet jobs here, only an understanding that form is temporary, class is permanent, and Premier League football is really, really bloody difficult. Our only other stipulation is that a player must have featured for 180 minutes or more to make it into the side. To Michael Keane, who has played 181 minutes for Everton this season, we apologise profusely.

Sam Johnstone - Crystal Palace - 6.11
The stats are not kind to Johnstone, but after being included in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper is evidently doing something right. In fact, only Liverpool and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals than the Eagles so far this season, and given that the 30-year-old has played every minute of every game so far, his inclusion here is somewhat baffling.

Tim Ream - Fulham - 5.79
By contrast, one team who have been leaking goals are Fulham. Marco Silva's men have shipped 10 in four matches so far, although in fairness, half of those did come against Manchester City in their last outing. Given that they are the only side in the Premier League to have already hit double figures in the GA column, however, it is perhaps unsurprising to see one of their foremost defenders, Ream, sneak his way into this XI.

Ameen Al Dakhil - Burnley - 5.63
According to Whoscored, the worst player in the Premier League so far this season, but it is worth reiterating that it is still very, very early days, and that Al Dakhil, at 21, is a talent with plenty of growing left to do. Much like this Burnley squad writ large, the best is yet to come.

Michael Keane - Everton - 5.95
Keane started the season at the heart of defence for Everton, but has since drifted out of the side a little after struggling to produce his best form. A player of his standard doesn't become poor overnight, but right now, he does look a touch out of sorts.

Connor Roberts - Burnley - 5.74
Another Burnley defender who hasn't been at the top of his game during the early exchanges of the campaign, Roberts will know that his experience will be vital if the Clarets are to avoid an immediate relegation back to the Championship. At the moment, you suspect that many of the recent issues at Turf Moor have been emblematic of the teething problems that tend to come with moving up a division, rather than individual problems, but the hope will be that when everything does eventually click for Vincent Kompany's men, it clicks to great effect.

Sander Berge - Burnley - 6.00
Brought in by Burnley to add a dash of quality to the centre of the park, Berge is still yet to properly hit his stride at his new club. Still, it would be remarkable if a player of his obvious talent didn't find his groove sooner rather than later.

Tahith Chong - Luton Town - 5.96
Evidently a huge talent with pedigree and potential in abundance, Chong hasn't quite adjusted to the rigours of the Premier League just yet. If and when he does begin to show the best of himself, however, the former Manchester United academy prospect could end up looking like an absolute bargain at £4 million.

Andreas Pereira - Fulham - 6.19
Undoubtedly a question of form rather than a lack of quality, Pereira proved on countless occasions last season just how significant a presence he can be for Fulham. Even in spite of his underwhelming displays this time around, he has already hit the back of the net, and will be hoping to kick things up a notch after the current international break.

Justin Kluivert - Bournemouth - 6.19
An eye-catching summer signing for Bournemouth, Kluivert is still yet to show the Cherries' faithful what he is truly capable of. Like many in this XI, you would imagine that he will improve as the season progresses, and given the immense CV that he already boasts at the age of 24, you would fancy that he will become a real asset on the south coast.

William Osula - Sheffield United - 5.79
Joining the Premier League as a striker is never easy. Joining the Premier League as a 20-year-old striker playing for a side who are more than likely set to face a relegation battle this season is almost unthinkably difficult. Osula will need time to settle, but whether that's something Sheffield United can afford him remains to be seen.

Benie Traore - Sheffield United - 6.04
You can take literally everything we just said about Osula and apply it here. Traore has only just arrived at Bramall Lane from Swedish outfit Hacken, and while he has struggled to impress thus far, the expectation will be that he grows into his new role in England, but the sooner that happens, the better for everybody involved.



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/everton/the-worst-premier-league-team-of-the-season-so-far-including-everton-fulham-sheffield-utd-stars-4337167

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Liverpool midfielder knows Luton will be 'desperate' to get their first top flight points at Craven Cottage
Wales international remains confident about the Cottagers' chances

Fulham midfielder Harry Wilson knows opponents Luton will turn up at Craven Cottage 'desperate' to get their first points of the Premier League season this afternoon.

The Hatters have lost all three of their top flight matches so far to sit second bottom of the table, while the Cottagers find themselves in mid-table, 13th, having taken four points from their opening four fixtures.

Those have all come away from home though, as the West Londoners' only game in front of their own fans was a 3-0 defeat to Brentford, although two goals came once American defender Tim Rea had been sent off midway through the second half.

Speaking to the club's official website ahead of the game, Wilson, who started his career with Liverpool, and is an international team-mate of Town skipper Tom Lockyer with Wales, said: "They'll be desperate to get some points on the board in the Premier League.

"They've had a few tough games to start, I think going away to Brighton was always going to be a tough start for them.

"It's going to be tough, but we're also confident, with the players and the ability that we've got, that when we play at the Cottage we can beat anybody."

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Marco Silva, who was in charge of the Cottagers when they hammered Town 7-0 at Kenilworth Road on their way to the Championship title back in the 2021-22 season, praised the manner in which the Hatters have gone on to reach the top flight themselves under Rob Edwards.

He is also aware of the threats Luton possess despite their winless start, saying: "After he changed clubs he showed the capacity and was able to help the team to get a great, great promotion for that football club, they did fantastic."

"What I know and what I saw from the first three games that they played, plus the Carabao Cup game, even if they didn't achieve the results they wanted, they are a tough team to play against.

"They have some characteristics that is not what you always face in the Premier League, they have different characteristics that are tough to play against, and we have to be always with the full focus.

"We have to play with quality, we have to play at our best level to show the quality.

"They have five at the back every time, plus three midfielders and the two strikers. They are always a threat in some offensive transitions and in some moments inside the box as well.

"We have to really focus on the challenge with them, with a lot of first and second balls, the way they play they are going to demand a lot from ourselves.

"It's a game that from our back-line, from our midfielders, we will demand real focus."

Meanwhile, Edwards himself, believes that his opposite number, who despite being just 46 has already had a decade in management with Estoril, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Hull City, Watford and Everton, is set for an increasingly bright future in the game.

He added: "I think you can see that he wants to be a possession-based coach, he wants his teams to dominate with the ball as much as possible.

"He recognises against the best teams you might not always be able to do that, but I don't think you get promoted in the manner that they did and then have the season they did in the Premier League without being a very, very good manager and a top coach.

"It looks like he's got a very good way with his players, very clear ideas as well in how he wants his team to play, but they're able to adapt and change and solve problems.

"He's a very intelligent coach, he's got some very good players that he's working with that are able to carry out what he wants,

"But he's someone that looks like, well he already has, but he's going to go on and have a very, very good career."



https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/ex-liverpool-midfielder-knows-luton-will-be-desperate-to-get-their-first-top-flight-points-at-craven-cottage-4338564

[WhiteJC]

Matchday thread: Fulham v Luton Town
There's a bit of a feelgood factor around Fulham Football Club following the news that João Palhinha and Harrison Reed have signed new contracts. I nearly crashed my car after getting the alert through from the Fulham app on Thursday night and, once I'd sworn in a manner more in keeping with this site's editor, it proved to be a very pleasant surprise indeed. The pair were absolutely pivotal in last season's undoubted success – and even a few more months of that engine room axis will make a massive difference to Fulham's fortunes.

Even Marco Silva sounded upbeat as he previewed the visit of Luton at Motspur Park yesterday, which makes a refreshing change for the head coach's savaging of the club's methods of recruitment during the summer. As Dan and Oscar intimated on The Green Pole in the immediate aftermath of that double contract extension, it would be nice to see the Portuguese head coach sign on for the long-term at Craven Cottage but I suppose that would be the real test of whether his apparent delight with Fulham's transfer dealings was a peerless piece of PR or genuine happiness.

The return of Cauley Woodrow and Elijah Adebayo, who have both been excellent for Luton since their Fulham careers came to an end, to Craven Cottage coincides with our first opportunity to pay tribute to Mohamed Al-Fayed at the club's historic home. The former Fulham chairman was certainly a colourful character and I was as angry as anyone when the Guardian revealed that the eccentric Egyptian who everyone had warned us about had put together a secret deal to sell the Cottage to himself. But the important part of the story is that he reversed course to take Fulham home – and the song that demanded that will I'm sure be rapturously sung before kick off alongside the one that laughs at Queens Park Rangers whilst reminding us how much he craved a British passport.

Al-Fayed might have been a cheeky chappy – and briefly landed us with that awful Michael Jackson statue – but he knew how to run a business and brought the sort of success I could only dream about whilst watching the likes of Mark Kelly and Mark Cooper demonstrate how not to be a midfielder admist the annual worries about our beloved club going to the wall. It was easy to mock when he breezily proclaimed that he was going to take Fulham to the top flight within five years (the Whites did it a year ahead of schedule) or that we'd become 'the Manchester United of the South' (Sir Alex Ferguson did take Louis Saha, Edwin van der Sar and Chris Smalling off our hands during thirteen years in the Premier League remember), but Mo proved a man of his word. I hope he gets a fitting send off this afternoon.

Here's our stat-attack ahead of this afternoon's game:

    This is the first top-flight meeting between Fulham and Luton Town since 1959/60. The Hatters hammered us 4-1 in January 1960 despite Jimmy Hill giving the Whites a fifth-minute lead at Kenilworth Road. Luton's goals came courtesy of Allan Brown, Billy Bingham, Gordon Turner and Bob Morton. Hill was stretched off seven minutes after opening the scoring and Fulham had to play with ten men in the days before substitutes.
    The Whites had won the Craven Cottage 4-2 on 12 September 1959. Graham Leggat's first half brace was sandwiched between Bingham's second league goal of the season before John Docherty and Hill put the Whites 4-1 ahead on the hour. Bingham reduced the Hatters' arrears with fifteen minutes to go in front of a crowd of more than 30,000.
    Fulham are unbeaten in their last five league outings against the Hatters – with the famous 7-0 win in May 2022 clinching the Championship title for Marco Silva's side.
    Luton did draw a thrilling FA Cup third round tie at the Cottage in 1999 – courtesy of a splendid late equaliser from Matthew Spring. The Hatters had surprised Paul Bracewell's side by taking an early lead through Liam George before Geoff Horsfield and Sean Davis quickly turned the game around. Fulham won 3-0 at Kenilworth Road ten days later – courtesy of Barry Hayles' brace and a Steve Hayward strike – before beating Wimbledon in the next round.
    The Hatters' last league success by the banks of the Thames came in October 1998 when Phil Gray, Stuart Douglas and Steve Davis secured a 3-1 win over Ray Wilkins' side. Alain Neilson got a late consolation for Fulham.
    This afternoon is Marco Silva's hundredth Fulham fixture. He has won 48 (48.48%) of the previous 99, drawn twenty and lost 31.
    Fulham have only lost their first three home games twice in the top tier. They were relegated on both previous occassions that it happened previously.
    Fulham's opponents have had 33 shots on target this season (the most in the top flight) and, despite Bernd Leno's heroics, Marco Silva's side have conceded ten goals this term, the second most in the division.
    The Whites have conceded sixteen goals in their last eight Premier League matches at the Cottage – failing to keep a clean sheet at home in the league since the 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in February.

If you are after some pre-match reading, you could:

    Read Dan's preview of this afternoon's game.
    Catch up with all the team news from Marco Silva's press conference.
    Learn how Joao Palhinha's contract extension was a while in the making.
    Hear why Tom Cairney's happy for Fulham's forwards to keep cracking his windscreen.
    Savour a special performance from Fulham's under 21s who hit Brentford B for six last night.

If you'd prefer something to listen to, press play on:

    Our hundredth episode of The Green Pole podcast with Dan and Oscar
    An emergency edition of Cottage Talk, where Dan joined Russ Goldman to discuss double contract delight!

ON THIS DAY IN FULHAM HISTORY

    In 1967, Johnny Haynes scored the winner as the Whites beat Leicester City 2-1 at Filbert Street. Allan Clarke, who opened the scoring the first half, was sold to the Foxes for £150,000 in the close season following Fulham's relegation from the First Division.
    In 1969, Steve Earle scored five goals as Fulham won 8-0 at Halifax Town. Jimmy Conway bagged a brace – one from the penalty spot – and midfielder Barry Lloyd got the other goal.
    In 1972, John Mitchell made his Fulham debut in a 1-1 Second Division draw with Huddersfield Town at Craven Cottage. A leveller from Alan Mullery secured a point for Alec Stock's side.
    In 1987, a double from the returning Leroy Rosenior secured a superb away for Fulham at Chester City.
    In 1989 Ray Lewington's Whites beat Swansea City 2-0 at Craven Cottage in the Third Division thanks to goals from Glen Thomas and Andy Sayer.
    In 2000, Jean Tigana's Fulham side won their seventh successive First Divison game – beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground courtesy of a Louis Saha penalty and further goals by Barry Hayles and Fabrice Fernandes.
    In 2016, Fulham lost to a phantom penalty at Burton Albion despite Ollie Norwood's first goal for the club.

DON'T FORGET TO ...

    Update your FPL team in time to score maximum points in our HammyEnd league
    Get your score predictions in before kick off
    Join us in a bit of pre-match discussion.
    Check your journey to the Cottage this afternoon. Wandsworth Bridge remains closed whilst there are no District Line tube services between Earls Court and Ealing Broadway or Richmond all weekend. There is also no Picadilly Line tube service between Hyde Park Court and Northfields or Uxbridge. Replacement buses are in operation – but are already subject to overcrowding and delays.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/matchday-thread-fulham-v-luton-town/

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Not Now – Club's Sporting Director On Possible Swoop For Fulham Star
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has insisted that the club are not focusing on Fulham's Joao Palhinha at the moment.

The German champions ran out of time to sign Palhinha in the summer even though they had agreed on a fee with Fulham and the player also underwent a medical.

Fulham failed to bring in a replacement, refused to green light the Portugal midfielder's sale and he was left stranded in Munich.

Bayern Munich are expected to try and sign the player again in January despite Palhinha signing a new five-year deal with Fulham earlier this week.

However, Freund stressed that the club are not thinking about Palhinha at the moment and the team are looking ahead to the challenges in front of them.

The Bayern Munich sporting director insisted that they will think about the winter window when it comes along.

Asked about rekindling interest in the Fulham star, Freund told German broadcaster Sport1 (via Fussballtransfers): "We are not dealing with it now.

"We have a really good team together and are concentrating on the job ahead.

"We will see what happens in January."

Marco Silva is not in favour of selling Palhinha in January while Fulham are expected to let him go if their asking price is met.



https://insidefutbol.com/2023/09/16/not-now-clubs-sporting-director-on-possible-swoop-for-fulham-star/620708/

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Kevin Thelwell breaks silence on Everton's lack of transfer deadline day signings and Alex Iwobi sale
Kevin Thelwell has provided an update to supporters ahead of Everton's Premier League clash against Arsenal

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell has explained why the club didn't bring in any new additions on transfer deadline day.

The Blues did not make a single signing on deadline day earlier this month, despite allowing four players to depart the club. The most high-profile of the departures was Alex Iwobi, who joined Fulham for a fee of £22million.

Tom Cannon was also sold to Leicester City in a deal that could rise to £7.5m, while Neal Maupay returned to Brentford on loan for the rest of the season. Jean-Philippe Gbamin terminated his contract.

Dyche admitted Everton's lack of business on transfer deadline deal was 'not ideal', and now Thelwell has explained that a combination of the players available being at a 'premium price' and the club's business model meant a decision was made to go with what the Blues already had.

"I've also been asked why we didn't bring anyone in on the final day of the transfer window, despite the sales of Alex Iwobi and Tom Cannon," he told evertonfc.com.

"Both sales were good deals for the club financially. In terms of potential incomings, the key consideration was the players available on the final day of the window.

"The reality is that, at that stage in the window, players of the quality to improve us come with a premium price. Sean, the board and I have a responsibility to keep building a squad that's right for Everton, both in a football sense and financially, and we didn't want to jeopardise that.

"That included not fully utilising the maximum number of loan deals we could have made. Sean spoke last week about having a squad that has enough depth but also one where everyone in it can contribute and play their part.

"We were reluctant to bring in players we didn't feel were better than what we already had, and who were probably unlikely to get a lot of playing time.

"Of course, there is always room for improvement, and we did not sign all of our targets but, overall, it was a solid window working under challenging financial constraints, with the transfer fees raised from player sales also putting the club in a healthier position going forward."



https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/kevin-thelwell-breaks-silence-evertons-27727446

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Aleksandar Mitrovic aims dig at Fulham and Newcastle by claiming he's 'finally arrived at a top club' in Al-Hilal... with the £46m forward insisting he has 'no nostalgia' from his time in England

    Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal from Fulham for £46m
    Mitrovic also played for Newcastle during an his eight-year spell in England

Aleksandar Mitrovic appears to have aimed a dig at Fulham and Newcastle after the Serbian forward declared he has 'finally arrived at a top club' after signing for Al-Hilal.

Mitrovic ended his eight-year spell in English football this summer after joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £46m move from Fulham.

The 29-year-old had spent three years at Newcastle after joining from Anderlecht in 2015, before a successful five full seasons as a Fulham player.

Mitrovic's spell at Fulham came to an acrimonious end after the Serbian international threatened to never play for the club against after Al-Hilal saw an offer rejected.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Mitrovic declared that he has now joined a 'top club' and compared the Saudi Arabian club's status in Asia to Real Madrid's in Europe.

'When I received the offer from Al-Hilal, I talked about it with my family, giving up was impossible,' Mitrovic said.

'I have no nostalgia for England, I played many years there.

'I'm happy to have finally arrived at a top club, Al-Hilal is a bit like Real Madrid in Europe.'

Mitrovic had been a significant success at Fulham with the forward having scored 111 goals in 206 appearances for the club.

The Serbian star's goals had proved crucial in separate promotion campaigns from the Championship, including netting a record 43 goals in the 2021-22 season to help the club return to the Premier League.

Mitrovic also scored 14 goals for Marco Silva's side last season to help the club finish in the top half.

Silva had expressed disappointment in Mitrovic for forcing his move to Al-Hilal during the summer.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to life with the Saudi Pro League side, scoring five goals in his opening four matches to help the club top the early season table.

Mitrovic was one of several major signings made by the Saudi club this summer, including Brazilian superstar Neymar and his fellow Serbian international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Yassine Bounou, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Malcom were also among their major imports in the window.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12525741/Aleksandar-Mitrovic-Fulham-Newcastle-Al-Hilal.html

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