Saturday Fulham Stuff - 30/09/23...

[WhiteJC]

"We pray" – Player admits he and country hoping for Fulham revival for compatriot
Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has admitted he and the rest of the country are hoping Raul Jimenez can rediscover his goalscoring form at Fulham this season.

The forward has been speaking to Paramount Plus, relayed by Goal's Spanish edition, regarding various topics, including Mexico' current crop of stars.

That still includes Jimenez, who remains a part of the set up on the international stage despite a difficult few years for him at Wolves.

The striker has been struggling to rediscover his old form following the horrendous injury he suffered in 2020, when a fractured skull left him out of the game for well over a year.

He's understandably not been the same since that injury, first having to deal with wearing a protective headband and then with various other niggling injuries that limited him last season at Wolves.

He moved on from Molineux in the summer, leaving to join Fulham as they looked for a low-cost option to strengthen their forward line following Aleksandr Mitrovic's move to Saudi Arabia.

The 32-year-old is yet to score in seven games for his new club, despite Fulham boss Marco Silva handing him a starting role in the Premier League so far.

That's naturally causing a little bit of concern and Hernandez admits he, and the rest of Mexico, are all praying for a turnaround.

"Well, I don't know how he's going to do," he said.

"But we pray that, like Edson (Alvarez), he can reach that level that he showed us when he was at Wolverhampton those years before his unfortunate accident.

"I hope he can return to that level because of course all of us as Mexicans miss him and we know the ability he has."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/pray-player-admits-country-hoping-fulham-revival-compatriot/

[WhiteJC]

Silva seeks derby repeat
Marco Silva wants to repeat Fulham's first SW6 derby win in seventeen years when his side take on Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

Carlos Vinicius' second-half header secured Fulham's first victory over their closest rivals since Silva's assistant Luis Boa Morte scored the only goal of the game in a famous 2006 success masterminded by Chris Coleman. Silva's side went on to draw at Stamford Bridge and finish above the Blues for the first time in forty years – and the Portuguese boss wants more of the same next week.

He told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this morning:

"You recognise how important it is when you feel the fans. It's probably the closest club from our football club, and that makes the derby slightly different, but we have some others in London as well. You feel that the game is important for our fans. We want to be competitive, want to fight for the three points. We are playing at home and we want to make their life really difficult.

Last season I had that feeling, how it's important for our fans, for sure. We gave them a very good week last January when we played against them at the Cottage. After the match, we felt how they were proud of ourselves. This is really special for them. We want to get a good result, we want to make them proud again, and what we can promise is that we are going to give our maximum again for the shirt and to make them proud again. It's a big thing for us that we are going to play at home, in our environment. We love everything about Craven Cottage matches and, for us, it will be a very good feeling again."

Chelsea may have only won league game under Mauricio Pochettino, who is battling a serious injury crisis, but Silva was not about to be sucked into writing Monday's opponents off.

"Chelsea is Chelsea. No-one can underestimate them because the quality is there. Of course, they haven't started the way they would like. Since Mauricio came in, he is trying to get the things in the right direction for them to fight for titles, like they want to be, but really that's not the most important thing for us. We will look for ourselves.

We are analysing them, we are going to have a plan for the match, like we have always, it's not going to be different than what we did against Norwich, that we did last week against Palace, we will do always the same. Of course, we respect them, it's no different than the respect we had for Palace last week, with Luton the week before, with Norwich, or the next one against Sheffield United.

We cannot hide that it's a derby, and always a special one. For our fans it's a really special derby. What we want really, and what we can promise them, is just that we are going to give our maximum really for the shirt and to make them proud."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/silva-seeks-derby-repeat/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea Matchday Preview
Fulham v Chelsea | Monday 2nd October | 8pm | Craven Cottage | #FULCHE

The opposition

    It's been a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge for new boss Mauricio Pochettino, with Chelsea only winning one of their opening six Premier League outings, losing three of them.
    They arrive at the Cottage with some momentum, though, having seen off high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
    One decision Pochettino will have to make on Monday is who will lead the line for his side, as Chelsea are currently without a recognised striker due to a combination of suspension and injuries.

Fulham team news

Saša Lukić will likely return to the matchday squad, but Kenny Tete needs assessing. Adama Traoré and Tosin remain sidelined.

Chelsea team news

Striker Nicolas Jackson picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa, meaning he's suspended alongside Malo Gusto who was sent off in that game. Ben Chilwell hurt his hamstring in the Carabao Cup in midweek, so he joins the likes of Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Marcus Bettinelli, Christopher Nkunku, Trevoh Chalobah and Romeo Lavia in the treatment room. Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke could return, though.

Tickets

This match has sold out – thank you for your fantastic support!

Weather

It will be 19 degrees at kick-off, but there is a chance of rain.

Player insight

This fixture last season gave Andreas Pereira a real insight into what the SW6 derby means to supporters.

"Since I came here, I tried to understand the culture more and more," he told FFCtv. "And especially from that night and from that win, you understand what kind of game [this is], and how passionate everyone is about it.

"So we know the importance, even coming from another team, another country, I know how important it is, and – for me – it's exactly the same now."

Coverage

This match will be televised live on Sky Sports, while FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Fulham For All

We encourage a welcoming environment at Craven Cottage, and we would like everybody's matchday experience to be enjoyable. We should like to remind supporters that the Crown Prosecution Service considers the term 'rent boy' a homophobic slur and a hate crime. It has indicated it will take criminal action against supporters using the term, which could also result in the Football Association sanctioning the Club.

Fulham Flutter

Win prizes while supporting the Foundation by playing the Fulham Flutter!

Bag policy

Bags larger than A4 in size will not be permitted entry to the stadium. Please see our bag policy for full details, and information on our left luggage facility.

Early bird

Fans can take advantage of our early bird offers until 7.30pm! Full price reductions across all items can be viewed here.

Form

Fulham: D*LWDW

*Won on penalties

Chelsea: WLDLW

Top scorers

Fulham: Carlos Vinicius (2)

Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling (2)

Matchday programme

Bernd Leno – the Premier League's clean sheet king – features in the matchday programme for the visit of Chelsea.

"I really like night games, because when it's sunny, it's nice as well, but the pitch is dry. Night games, the pitch is wet, everything's a little bit quicker. It feels like... I don't want to say like Champions League, but it feels a little bit more like a Final – finals are always at night. It's just different, just a different atmosphere. I don't know why, but it's good that this game is a night game."

Elsewhere in the programme, football historian Roger Hillier explores the career of former Fulham frontman Jim Hammond, while Portugal – who have been represented by Whites stars past and present such as Luis Boa Morte, Ivan Cavaleiro and João Palhinha – are the latest focus of 'Euro Zone.'

You can pick up a copy of the programme on the night or online.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/september/29/chelsea-matchday-preview/

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva exclusive: How ambition and courage are the bedrocks of Fulham manager's philosophy

Plus: Why Bernd Leno is one of Fulham's best signings under Marco Silva; How the Fulham manager is helping his side to create and score more goals; Watch Fulham vs Chelsea live on Monday Night Football from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event

The number six seems to be intrinsically linked to Fulham manager Marco Silva as we sit down on a sunny autumn morning at the club's training base in south-west London.

It is the number of Premier League games the Cottagers have played so far this season, registering an equal share of wins, draws and losses. It was also the number of seasons Fulham had - until this year - yo-yoed between the Premier League and Championship.

Six too is the number of years Silva has been managing in England now, since first arriving at Hull in 2017. Then dubbed the 'new Mourinho' - as most fellow Portuguese are at one time or another - the 46-year-old has since carved out his own style, informed by spells on the continent with the likes of Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos.

It is here that the buzzwords of 'ambition' and 'courage' offer an insight into how Silva works as a manager.

"I think my management style is based on some important things," he exclusively tells Sky Sports ahead of the Monday Night Football derby against Chelsea.

"The ambition, the bravery, and the courage to play football is the way I want to prepare my teams to play every time and I want to see that on a match-day. I like my teams to play good football because it's something that is one of my characteristics as a manager and I'm really demanding. I'm the first one to support them at everything.

"I started in the lower divisions in Portugal and afterwards, I grew and I went through different competitions with some games in the Europa League and Champions League with two clubs.

"Those scenarios gives you the experience, the maturity to play every single game, to win football matches and to demand from the people around you. I try to keep everything with me to keep improving myself and the players who work under me.

"I've also had different spells in the Premier League and Championship, spells when you have to adapt but one of the main things that is always in my teams - we have to be ambitious and competitive and try to win any football match when you go on the pitch.

"[The Premier League] is the most difficult and the best competition in the world. It is where there are the best players and managers and to be honest, I want to be where the best ones are.

Silva on cusp of PL half century
     Marco Silva will earn his 50th Premier League win as a manager if Fulham beat Chelsea on Monday Night Football.

"I want to challenge myself in every single match, I want to face the best players as well and [there is] the respect for the game. Everything I love in the Premier League, I knew before I came for the first time and I am still enjoying it. It is one of the main reasons why I'm still here.

"It's really tough when you are a foreign manager to be here for such a long time and for so many years in a row. But I love the pressure, it's something I really want for myself and my staff to keep challenging ourselves."

'Leno one of the best signings we have made'
These qualities all contribute to Silva bringing stability to Fulham's stay in the Premier League, having also been promoted as Championship winners under the Portuguese manager in the 2021/22 campaign. Last season, they finished 10th - eight points and two places ahead of Monday's rivals, Chelsea.

While the now-departed Aleksandar Mitrovic is often credited with spearheading Fulham's recent successes, a large portion of the thanks for last season should go to goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

An arrival from Arsenal last summer, he had the highest numbers of any Premier League goalkeeper for xG prevented in the 2022/23 campaign. In fact, in the last 10 Premier League seasons, only three goalkeepers recorded a better record in the same area than Leno last season.

In the six league matches so far, the German stopper has kept three clean sheets - the same number as Manchester City's Ederson. It is not surprise then that Silva calls Leno one of the best signings he has made at Fulham.

"It's been a pleasure for me, I've really enjoyed having Bernd with us," the manager said. "We waited really long time to come, it was a longer process than we would have liked. Our board did a very good job, but we waited for him to come.

"And it was possible because Bernd really wanted to join Fulham and he is a top goalkeeper. He is proving that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, with no doubts about it.

"He's a key player for us, he's already in our captains group as well because he's so important. He is one of the best signings that we made. The way he performed last season showed that and the way he keeps performing.

"But more than that, the way he works every single day since he came here. He's so proud of his work, he's ambitious to keep improving, he is always in a good mood, always has a smile of his face and I love working with him."

'We must give players confidence to keep creating chances'
While the goalkeeping position is secure, Fulham are facing a goals conundrum. Mitrovic's move to Al Hilal this summer saw him depart with four club top-scorer plaudits from five and a half years with the Cottagers, which included 43 goals in 44 games in the 2021/22 Championship season.

Fulham did go some way to replacing their former star striker, signing experienced Premier League forwards including Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi. But they have still scored four fewer league goals than at the same stage last season, and Silva bemoaned the lack of finishing in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.

However, despite scoring only five goals in six games - the same as Chelsea - they have made theirs count, with two of those goals coming in 1-0 wins against Everton and Luton. It actually gives them the best points-to-goal ratio (1.6) in the Premier League this season.

But ever chasing ambitious highs, Silva understandably wants more from his Fulham players.

"The first games of the season, we didn't create as many chances as I would like to see. I think in the last two, we have created enough to win, against Crystal Palace for example and we beat Norwich [2-1 in the Carabao Cup], but we could have scored more goals.

"The others before, we didn't score many, it's true, even though we were still able to get some important results for us, because we didn't create enough.

"Everything needs time and the players need time to gel. It's always important to have the right time with the players.

"Adama didn't have pre-season with any team, he was working alone with his own fitness coach. He is injured already and it will take more time for him to be able to help us. Alex was already playing in his team and needs time to gel, but he knows a lot about the Premier League and the adaptation is going to be quicker.

"Raul had enough time with us to start working with the team and because of that, he was in the first starting XI against Everton. It will take time for him to adapt, to see everything and know his team-mates. I think it is a normal process in this type of situation, but more than that, we have to create more for our side.

"What we have to do it keep working hard, keep giving the players the tools and parts for us to arrive in certain areas, giving them the confidence to keep creating chances and to be more effective in our counter-attack.

"We always want more, we will fight for more but we have to be realistic at the same time. I have to give credit to our players because our pre-season was really tough, it was probably one of the toughest I've had as a manager so far for many different reasons, from injuries and other things we faced.

"Even with that, when the pre-season started, we clicked and we were there to match and face the opposition sides. From that moment, it has been a process to improve every single time for any game that we are playing."

'We respect Chelsea, but fans can be the difference'
Fulham will have the chance to put their training ground work into practice once again when they face Chelsea on Monday Night Football from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are under intense pressure, having made their worst start to a top-flight season after the opening six games since 1978/79.

But Silva remains wary of Chelsea's quality, although it was only in January when Fulham were 2-1 winners in this exact Premier League fixture. The manager has called on the home fans to be a '12th man' when the Blues make the short trip to Craven Cottage.

The other time Fulham beat Chelsea in the PL...
     Fulham's only other Premier League win against Chelsea was a 1-0 home win in March 2006. Current Fulham coach Luis Boa Morte scored the only goal.

"For us, it is the most important because it's the next one - it's always the way we approach it," he explained.

"Before the Norwich match, I haven't spoken with the players once about the Chelsea match. The game was Norwich, we had full focus on that. After a day off, from now, we are going to prepare for Chelsea on Monday.

"It's a derby which is always a special one, it's a special feeling for our fans. The good memories and good feelings we gave them last season makes us understand how important it is for them.

"We are going to prepare in the best way as always, we have respect for Chelsea. They haven't started in the way they would like, but they are Chelsea and we know that means - the induvial quality they have. But we want to match them and we are playing at home.

"I really want our fans to play their key part in this game, to support the team from the first minute until the last one. We are going to have some good moments in the game, I'm 100 per cent sure. In other moments, they are probably going to be for Chelsea and we need the support behind the team.

"We want to enjoy the match, we want to express ourselves, to face them and match them. The 12th man - the fans - are going to be key."

The signs are there that Fulham are on course for another strong season. With a few improvements, paired with Silva's strive for ambition and courage within his team, the Cottagers can be another dangerous prospect for any opponent.

Watch Fulham vs Chelsea live on Monday Night Football from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12971806/marco-silva-exclusive-how-ambition-and-courage-are-the-bedrocks-of-fulham-managers-philosophy

[WhiteJC]

Watch Fulham Women in FA Cup action this weekend
With Marco Silva's side not in action until Monday night, you can get your Fulham fix by cheering on Fulham FC Women as they get their FA Cup campaign underway at Motspur Park this weekend.

Steve Jaye's side will be looking to take their fine recent form into the cup competitions as they host Steyning Town in the FA Cup qualifying round on Sunday afternoon, with kick off at 2.30pm. The Whites have won their last four league matches and came from behind to win a five-goal thriller against Millwall Lionesses last weekend.

Get down to Motspur Park and enjoy an afternoon of fun for all the family with face-painting, food and drink and a chance to meet the players after the final whistle as well as getting behind this fantastic Fulham side. Tickets are available via the club's official website as well as on the gate – priced at £5 for adults and £1 for concessions



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/watch-fulham-women-in-fa-cup-action-this-weekend/

[WhiteJC]

Silva: 'Leno one of the best signings we have made'
Marco Silva has described Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno as 'one of the best signings we have ever made'.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Monday's SW6 derby, the Fulham head coach emphasised just how important the Germany international has been to his side's progress in the Premier League.

It's been a pleasure for me, I've really enjoyed having Bernd with us. We waited really long time to come, it was a longer process than we would have liked. Our board did a very good job, but we waited for him to come and it was possible because Bernd really wanted to join Fulham and he is a top goalkeeper. He is proving that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, with no doubts about it.

He's a key player for us, he's already in our captains group as well because he's so important. He is one of the best signings that we made. The way he performed last season showed that and the way he keeps performing. But more than that, the way he works every single day since he came here. He's so proud of his work, he's ambitious to keep improving, he is always in a good mood, always has a smile of his face and I love working with him."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/09/silva-leno-one-of-the-best-signings-we-have-made/

[WhiteJC]

"It's bad news"- Pochettino confirms major injury blow for Chelsea ahead of Fulham tie
Ben Chilwell's injury and Striker Nicolas Jackson's suspension leaves Chelsea short of options

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Ben Chilwell be missing a number of matches going forward including Monday's clash against Fulham due to a concerning hamstring injury suffered versus Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ben Chilwell retired with a hamstring injury late on, in the Blues' 1-0 League Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion this Wednesday and the Chelsea boss admitted that the early signs do not look good according to Chelsea's official website.

"I think it's bad news. From what the doctor told me it's not a good thing, but we need to assess in the next few days and we'll see the period that he's going to be absent from the squad and the team. I think it is the same leg as he injured last season. He was fresh and only played 20 minutes against Aston Villa. We are very disappointed because the news is not good and now we are going to miss another player for a certain amount of time."

enjamin Chilwell to be out for an unspecified amount of time. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea are currently hit with injuries left and right. Ben Chilwell's fitness issue will certainly be one of the most impactful ones. Pochettino also noted it's the same hamstring Chilwell injured last season. Losing him long-term would be a huge setback with the skipper Reece James also sidelined.

    '"Any team missing important players, it will affect their performance. There is only one Reece James and one Ben Chilwell. We have Malo, Marc [Cucurella] and Levi [Colwill] who can come in and play really well, but they have a different profile. That is football. It is difficult to replace top players."

On a positive note, Pochettino is hopeful Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke can return from injury against Fulham. But replacing Chilwell poses a challenge with left-back options already thin and he has been our stand-in captain in Reece James' absence, leaving the team without another leader on the pitch.

Up front, suspended striker Nicolas Jackson is out and Armando Broja has just returned from an eight-month long injury. Hence putting the pressure to deliver on the fresh out of injury Broja might yield negative results.

Losing Chilwell compounds Pochettino's headaches at both fullback spots. However, James is currently inching closer to a full return and is slated to start after the international break in October. So Pochettino might rest a bit easy.

However, currently, creativity will be required to patch together a depleted defence minus two world-class starters. But right now, it seems the Argentine is fine with fielding a team where Mykhaylo Mudryk starts as a left-winger while Levi Colwill plays as a left-back to provide defensive balance.

Further injuries, however, could derail Chelsea's season given their lack of a strong attack. Pochettino has held things together so far but must continue finding solutions if long-term absences pile up.



https://www.astamfordbridgetoofar.com/2023/09/injuries-and-suspension-leave-pochettino-worried-ahead-of-fulham-clash-ben-chilweill/

[filham]

Full focus now on Monday night and a possible victory over Chelsea, they are struggling and there is hope that new signing Iwobi could add much needed bite to our attack, he registered a goal and an assist against Norwich.

OK it is onlt three points but a good victory against Chelsea woud be a tonic for all of us.