Saturday Fulham Stuff - 02/12/23...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham are ball number 15 in FA Cup third round draw
Fulham will find out who they will face in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend – and Marco Silva's side have been assigned ball number fifteen in the draw, which will take place on Sunday afternoon.

Premier League and Championship sides enter the competition at the third round stage over the weekend of Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January – with fierce competition to reach the prestige part of the world's oldest club cup competition due to start this evening as Wigan Athletic, likely to feature in-form Fulham loanee Martial Godo, travelling to face York City in front of the BBC television cameras.

The Whites may feel like they have unfinished business in the FA Cup after the manner of their exit at the quarter-final stage last term. Silva's side were leading Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford until the VAR intervened to award a penalty to the Red Devils and referee Chris Kavanagh sent off Willian, Silva and Aleksandar Mitrovic in quick succession.

The draw for the third round will be broadcast live on ITV during their coverage of the tie between Eastleigh and Reading at round 12.55pm.

The full ball numbers are as follows:

1. AFC Bournemouth
2. Arsenal
3. Aston Villa
4. Birmingham City
5. Blackburn Rovers
6. Brentford
7. Brighton & Hove Albion
8. Bristol City
9. Burnley
10. Cardiff City
11. Chelsea
12. Coventry City
13. Crystal Palace
14. Everton
15. Fulham
16. Huddersfield Town
17. Hull City
18. Ipswich Town
19. Leeds United
20. Leicester City
21. Liverpool
22. Luton Town
23. Manchester City
24. Manchester United
25. Middlesbrough
26. Millwall
27. Newcastle United
28. Norwich City
29. Nottingham Forest
30. Plymouth Argyle
31. Preston North End
32. Queens Park Rangers
33. Rotherham United
34. Sheffield United
35. Sheffield Wednesday
36. Southampton
37. Stoke City
38. Sunderland
39. Swansea City
40. Tottenham Hotspur
41. Watford
42. West Bromwich Albion
43. West Ham United
44. Wolverhampton Wanderers
45. Maidstone United or Barrow
46. Wycombe Wanderers or Morecambe
47. Notts County or Shrewsbury Town
48. Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
49. Aldershot Town or Stockport County
50. Alfreton Town or Walsall
51. Blackpool or Forest green Rovers
52. Cambridge United or Fleetwood Town
53. Bolton Wanderers or Harrogate Town
54. Wrexham or Yeovil Town
55. Crewe Alexandra or Bristol Rovers
56. Peterborough United or Doncaster Rovers
57. Eastleigh or Reading
58. Gillingham or Charlton Athletic
59. Stevenage or Port Vale
60. Newport County or Barnet
61. Oxford United or Grimsby Town
62. York City or Wigan Athletic
63. Sutton United or Horsham
64. AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate

Let us know who you'd like to be pulled out of the hat alongside Fulham this weekend in the comments ...



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/fulham-are-ball-number-13-in-fa-cup-third-round-draw/

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Fulham - Premier League

    Liverpool host Fulham after breezing past LASK 4-0 in the Europa League
    Jurgen Klopp must get by without Alisson and Diogo Jota after duo were injured in 1-1 Man City draw
    Reds are two points behind league leaders Arsenal heading into Gameweek 14

Liverpool remained firmly on the tail of the defending Premier League champions thanks to last week's 1-1 draw away at Manchester City.

Their task on Sunday is a much simpler one on paper as a Fulham side that has not won an away game since the opening day of the season visit Anfield.

While teams around them may be suffering more, Liverpool still have some very important players missing through injury. Two certain starters and three other important options will be unavailable to Jurgen Klopp.

Here's the starting XI the Reds manager may choose for Fulham's visit on Sunday.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3)
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - The Irish goalkeeper has been urged by Klopp to seize this opportunity while Alisson is out of action, so a clean sheet will be his aim against Fulham on Sunday to follow up his LASK shutout.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - Buoyed by his goal against Man City last weekend, Alexander-Arnold will be looking to contribute in attack again here.

CB: Virgil van Dijk - It will be a relief to Klopp that he has avoided any further defensive injury woes. Keeping Van Dijk fit is half the battle for Liverpool when it comes to the Premier League title race.

CB: Ibrahima Konate - The Frenchman completes what must be the most physically intimidating centre-back pairing in the Premier League.

LB: Kostas Tsimikas - Like Kelleher, he needs to take this chance in the team with Andy Robertson out injured. Rattled the woodwork with a strike from distance on Thursday night.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister - He still has a slightly nondescript role in this Liverpool team but Mac Allister is continually getting picked and his side are getting results.

CM: Dominik Szoboszlai - The Hungary international has been a superb signing for Liverpool and certainly worth the fee many thought was a bit steep. This is the sort of game Szoboszlai can really try things if Liverpool get a couple of goals to the good.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch - The Dutchman has been used in rotation by Klopp which is understandable given there are many new midfielders, so he has to take every chance he is given.

RW: Mohamed Salah - The Egyptian is once again having a great season, albeit in a quieter and under-the-radar kind of way. That's when you know you're really, really good.

ST: Darwin Nunez - Nobody can work this guy out and that makes up a large part of his appeal. Nunez has shown he can score a worldie one minute and miss an open goal the next; it's all part of the fun.

LW: Luis Diaz - After overcoming some heavy personal matters this season, Diaz will be relieved at a chance to just focus on his football. He can be a real threat for Liverpool here and headed in their opener against LASK.



https://www.90min.com/posts/liverpool-predicted-lineup-vs-fulham-premier-league-3-12-23

[WhiteJC]

Silva set to hand Harris loan chance
Marco Silva is planning to loan out Luke Harris next month in order to give the young Fulham starlet a further taste of first-team football.

The prodigiously talented playmaker was among the substitutes for Fulham's thrilling 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night but hasn't featured for the senior side since coming off the bench to replace injured skipper Tom Cairney at Manchester City at the start of September.

Speaking during his press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon, Silva alluded to the fact that the Welsh under-21 international's season has not panned out as planned. Harris had been set to join League One Exeter on loan at the end of the summer transfer window only for the cancellation of Joao Palhinha's transfer to Bayern Munich requiring him to remain at Craven Cottage instead.

The Fulham head coach explained that the final piece in the jigsaw will be finding the right destination where the highly-rated Harris can continue his development:

"Last summer it was planned that Luke would go and play senior football and become stronger but unfortunately regarding the situation with Joao it didn't give us time. If he goes he has to play football he is still a young lad and learning what division is not the most important thing.

It is about what type of football he is going play, what type of manager. A good example is when we let Martial Godo go to Wigan on loan. He is developing and I know the manager there really well, he is a former player of mine, plays good football and I have good connection with him and he wanted to sign Martial. Sometimes you have to be careful where you put the players, you have to see the people in charge and how they prepare themselves to make sure it is the right place for a young player."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/silva-set-to-hand-harris-loan-chance/

[WhiteJC]

Sarah Keig: Fulham's Changing Tactics Ahead of Anfield Clash

Fulham's Ambitious Journey: A Deep Dive with Sarah Keig
Fulham's Resilient Climb and Future Aspirations
Sarah Keig, a prominent voice in Fulham's fan community, recently shed light on the club's remarkable journey and aspirations in an enlightening discussion with Hari Sethi from Anfield Index. As Fulham gears up for another Premier League challenge, Keig's insights offer a unique perspective on the club's strategies, challenges, and the future under Marco Silva's guidance.

Establishing a Premier League Footprint
Reflecting on Fulham's past seasons, Keig pointed out the critical shift from a yo-yo club to a sustainable Premier League team. Despite previous promotions, Fulham often lacked a Premier League-caliber team, leading to inevitable relegations. However, the latest ascent marked a change. "We absolutely tore through the Championship... this time we've got a team here who can stay up," Keig recalled. Fulham's commendable 10th place finish last season, nearly breaking their Premier League points record, and reaching the FA Cup quarterfinals, signified a new era of ambition and capability.

Strategic Moves and Standout Performers
Keig praised Fulham's strategic player acquisitions and highlighted key contributors. The arrivals of Willian, Andreas Pereira, and J Pinia notably strengthened the squad. She also acknowledged the significant roles played by Harrison Reed and Tim Ream. "Ream was playing some of his best football... he got recalled to the US Men's National Team," Keig noted, emphasizing the players' elevated performances under Silva's leadership.

Marco Silva's Transformative Impact
The role of Marco Silva as Fulham's catalyst for success was a focal point of Keig's analysis. She credited Silva for tactically revamping the team, particularly highlighting the shift from a counter-attacking style in the Championship to a more balanced approach in the Premier League. "The tactics were completely different... building up from the back through the Midfield," she explained, underlining Silva's adaptability and tactical acumen.

Navigating Challenges and Rebuilding
The discussion also delved into Fulham's challenges, notably the disruptive exits of key players like Aleksandar Mitrovic to the Saudi Pro League. Keig described this as a "kick in the teeth," given Mitrovic's significant contribution to Fulham's success. However, she also recognized the club's smart business acumen in securing a substantial transfer fee for him.

Fulham's Current Season: Realities and Expectations
Looking at the current season, Keig acknowledged the need to recalibrate expectations due to the loss of key players and injuries. She expressed hope for mid-table stability, ideally finishing around 10th to 13th place. Keig also highlighted the importance of Marco Silva's contract extension, viewing it as a sign of the club's commitment to stability and growth.

Key Takeaways

    Fulham's transformation from a relegation-prone team to a stable Premier League club under Silva's guidance.
    Strategic player acquisitions and the emergence of key performers have been instrumental in Fulham's rise.
    The club's resilience in facing challenges, including significant player departures.
    A realistic outlook for the current season, aiming for mid-table security.

Keig's insights offer an in-depth understanding of Fulham's journey, challenges, and aspirations, painting a picture of a club steadily carving out its place in the Premier League landscape.



https://anfieldindex.com/60741/sarah-keig-fulhams-changing-tactics-ahead-of-anfield-clash.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U21s batter Brighton
Fulham under 21s made it three wins in their last three matches as they outclassed an in-form Brighton and Hove Albion outfit on a cold night at Motspur Park this evening.

The young Whites put clear water between themselves and the Seagulls in the PL2 table as they inflicted Shannon Ruth's side's first defeat in five games with a clinical performance on their return to league action. Albion opened expansively and Hayden Mullins' men were indebted to the covering instincts of Welsh youth international Jay Williams, who read the danger to deny Jamie Mullins a free run on goal in the early stages.

The lively Luke Harris registered Fulham's first shot on target when his snapshot was superbly saved by Brighton goalkeeper Tom McGill. The hosts' probing passing rhythms succeeded in penning Brighton bato denck and Mullins' side went in front on the quarter hour when Williams began a fluent move that saw the hosts show patience in possession before Harris played in Imani Lanquedoc, who left the Brighton defenders trailing in his wake and finished impeccably.

Harris added the second midway through the first half. The Welsh under-21 international lashed a lovely finish in the bottom corner after being released in space by an exquisite lofted pass from Ollie O'Neill. Jon Esenga almost demonstrated his set-piece ability again when an outrageous long-range free-kick cracked against the crossbar, although Brighton finished the first period strongly and could have found a route back into the contest were if not for George Wickens. The recalled goalkeeper pulled off an excellent one-on-one stop to deny Lewis Flower after a well-worked one-two.

Wickens needed to be alert at the start of the second period, rushing from his goalline to thwart Brody Peart when the substitute seemed set to go round him whilst Noel Atom made a brave block to deny Ollie O'Neill at the other end after the Irish midfielder looked to profit from some unselfish hold-up work from centre forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi. The home side weren't ruthless enough to kill off the contest with seventeen minutes to go when O'Neill threaded George Okkas through after winning a key challenge – only for the Cypriot midfielder to look for a pass rather than pulling the trigger himself.

Williams did eventually wrap up all three points with fifteen minutes remaining by heading home an Esenga corner when he outjumped three Brighton defenders and powered his effort past McGill. This impressive victory, which saw Fulham move level on points with second-placed West Ham United, was the perfect preparation for Tuesday night's trip to Wycombe Wanderers in the second round of the Football League Trophy.

FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; Tanton, Esenga, Williams, Odutayo; King (Sekularac 66), Okkas; Lanquendoc (Gordon 66), O'Neill, Harris (Araujo 83); Loupalo-Bi (Donnell 66). Subs (not used): McNally.

BOOKED: Wickens, Esenga.

GOALS: Lanquedoc (15), Harris (26), Williams (75).

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): McGill; McConville (Tasker 84), Slater, Jackson, Atom; Knight (Peart 45), Chouchane; Nilsson (Ifill 64), Duffus (Gorman 65), Mullins; Flower. Subs (not used): Cahill.

BOOKED: Atom, Mullins, Ifill, Slater.

REFEREE: James Durkin.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/fulham-u21s-batter-brighton/

[WhiteJC]

Iwobi's brilliant effort against favourite PL opponents nominated for Fulham Goal of the Month
Alex Iwobi's brilliant strike against Wolverhampton Wanderers has been nominated for Fulham's Goal of the Month award for November 2023.

This is the second time this season that the Nigeria national teamer has been shortlisted for the monthly accolade following his move from Everton on transfer deadline day, having been nominated for the September prize.

In a thrilling contest at Craven Cottage, Fulham broke the deadlock in the seventh minute through Iwobi, who ran across the face of the Wolverhampton Wanderers goal to tuck the ball in from a great cutback by Antonee Robinson.

Iwobi's first Premier League goal for Fulham was scored in his eighth appearance for them and after logging 470 minutes.

Wolves are Iwobi's favourite Premier League opponents as he has scored more against the Wanderers than any other team - four goals in nine matches.

In his bid to win the Goal of the Month, Iwobi faces competition from Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Tom Cairney, Luciano D'Auria-Henry, Luke Harris and Raúl Jiménez,

In an action-packed month for Fulham, Marco Silva's side have eight games scheduled including trips to Liverpool, Newcastle United and Everton and the visit of Iwobi's boyhood club Arsenal.

The Nigeria international will be hoping to increase his goal haul for the season before linking up with the Super Eagles at their Africa Cup of Nations training camp.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=49642

[WhiteJC]

Silva warns Vinicius after headbutt
Marco Silva has warned Carlos Vinicius to curb his bad behaviour after the forward was fortunate to escape a red card having aimed a headbutt at Wolves defender Max Kilman on Monday night.

The Brazilian striker was cautioned for his part in a fracas with the Wanderers captain after coming on as a late substitute at Craven Cottage – and it followed two previous confrontations with Chelsea's Tiago Silva and Auston Trust of Sheffield United. The Fulham head coach told his press conference this afternoon that has warned the former Spurs forward about the need to improve his discipline:

"100 per cent. As you would expect. I have done it before and I did it again. I have addressed it strongly with him. Football players are to play football, not to react to things. The emotions are there but we have to control our emotions, all of us. It's clear and I told him these type of things cannot happen again. I've spoken with him before after the Chelsea game. I hope this is the last time."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/silva-warns-vinicius-after-headbutt/