Saturday Fulham Stuff - 03/02/24...

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Burnley v Fulham: Team news, predicted teams and TV details as Clarets face must-win scenario
After the drama of transfer deadline day, the focus returns to on-the-field matters as Burnley face a must-win encounter against Fulham.

Vincent Kompany's side lost 3-1 to Manchester City on their return from the winter break on Wednesday night, leaving them seven points adrift of safety.

If the Clarets are to have any hope of pulling off a survival miracle, they must realistically pick up a positive result at Turf Moor today given they face title-challening Liverpool and Arsenal in their next two games.

Burnley are currently five games without a win in all competitions, but the last side they beat was today's opponents Fulham thanks to a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage back in December.

Marco Silva's side, who drew 0-0 with Everton during the week, are also without a win in their last five outings. They sit 12th in the table, seven points ahead of the relegation zone.

Here's all the important information ahead of today's fixture:

When and where is the game taking place?
The match is being held at Burnley's Turf Moor Stadium on Saturday, February 3. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Is it on TV?
No, the game falls behind the UK's Saturday 3pm blackout.

How else can I follow the game?
Burnley FC writer Matt Scrafton will be providing live updates on his Twitter feed, followed by a match report, post-match reaction and further analysis on the Burnley Express' website.

What's the latest team news?
Jordan Beyer, Hannes Delcroix and Charlie Taylor all remain doubts after missing the midweek defeat against Man City.

Elsewhere, Luca Koleosho and Nathan Redmond remain long-term absentees.

Deadline day recruits Maxime Esteve and Lorenz Assignon will be hoping to make their Burnley debuts.

As for Fulham, Harry Wilson is struggling with a shoulder problem while Raul Jimenez and Issa Diop both have hamstring issues.

Adama Traore is out with a thigh injury, while Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are still at the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

Vincent Kompany's pre-match comments
"I'd like for us to have a must win attitude in every game.

"Everything I see with the group and how they're approaching the tough period we've had, they've always done exactly what I've wanted them to do which gives me confidence they can get results at some point.

"We've been in games, we've done well against good opponents, but every game has to be an opportunity for us to get results now. There's nothing else to say.

"We can't win them all, but we have to have the mindset to do something in every game.

"You can say score, score, defend the box as well, but a big element of it is belief.

"We will approach the game like we always do, preparing well and bank on the fact we've got Turf Moor behind us and be the best we can be on the day."

What are the predicted teams?
Burnley: Trafford, Vitinho, O'Shea, Ekdal, Al-Dakhil, Brownhill, Berge, Gudmundsson, Odobert, Amdouni, Foster

Fulham: Leno, Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian, Muniz

Who is the referee?
Darren Bond. He's overseen 14 games so far this season, dishing out 64 yellow cards and two reds. He last officiated a Burnley game in April of last season when Vincent Kompany's men beat Middlesbrough to clinch promotion to the Premier League.

What are the latest odds?
Burnley: 19/10

Draw: 12/5

Fulham: 11/8

Odds according to SkyBet.



https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/burnley-v-fulham-team-news-predicted-teams-and-tv-details-as-clarets-face-must-win-scenario-4502284

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Making sustainability progress at Fulham
The Trust is delighted to learn that Fulham has signed up for the Green Football Weekend, happening this week in the buildup to our away game against Burnley. Trust board member, Sarah Keig, caught up with Head of Strategy at Fulham, Tim Griffith, who is leading the sustainability charge for the club. These are early days for the club's plans for making Craven Cottage more sustainable, but they are tackling the cause head on and there are exciting plans ahead.

Some of the changes already implemented by the club includes:

    Through a partnership with Gridserve, the club car fleet is fully electric, and ten charging points have been installed across Craven Cottage and Motspur Park.
    Club kit partner, Adidas, now ensure that the home, away & third kits are manufactured from 100% recycled materials.
    The club and the Fulham Foundation are participating in the #TransfertoVeg campaign. This aims to show how small lifestyle differences can add up to a big difference for the environment and particularly how eating more vegetable-based meals can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
    Recently, the club hosted a sustainability and environmental awareness workshop for Academy players (U14s, U17s and U18s), in partnership with 'Football For Future'. The sessions were geared towards helping the players understand the fundamentals of climate change and its relationship with football and developing an understanding of the practical ways the football industry can become more sustainable.
    The Foundation's 2023-24 Social Action Challenge, which engages primary, secondary and community groups, is focused on helping young people create and implement ideas to protect the planet

It was also great to hear that a new sustainability page will launch on fulhamfc.com soon. It will summarise the Club's progress across key areas of sustainability and keep fans aware of new initiatives and projects as they arise.

We know that climate change is a pressing, yet complex issue that Fulham alone cannot fix, but have a role to play towards the larger goal of reducing output on our planet. It's imperative for this that the club and fans work together, and the Trust are keen to support in any way that we can.

You can read more about the club's work for Green Football Weekend here.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2024/02/making-sustainability-progress-at-fulham/

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Live Sunday: Watch Youth Cup football - Liverpool v Fulham

Watch Liverpool's FA Youth Cup tie against Fulham live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO on Sunday afternoon.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's Reds host the Cottagers at the Kirkby Academy in the fifth round of the competition, with the clash kicking off at 1pm GMT.

Our coverage begins five minutes earlier and can be watched on LFCTV and LFCTV GO here.

    Subscribe to LFCTV GO now and get a month free using the code GOFREE23. You can also sign up and watch via the official LFCTV GO app (iOS | Google Play). Terms and conditions apply.



https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/sunday-watch-youth-cup-football-liverpool-v-fulham

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FA make official decision on Newcastle United incident & Fulham rule break after Arsenal U-turn
The FA have fined Marco Silva for his comments made after Newcastle United's 3-0 win over Fulham in December.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has admitted to improper conduct and been fined £80,000 for breaching FA rules following defeat to Newcastle United.

Fulham saw Raul Jimenez shown an early straight red card following a foul on Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff and a VAR check back in December at St James' Park. The Magpies went on to win the game 3-0 with goals from Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn.

After the match, Silva described the performance of referee Sam Barrott as 'really strange'. It was the referee's first top flight match at St James' Park.

"Until the 21st minute of the game, we didn't have one foul," Silva told Sky Sports at the time. All the tackles and challenges on the pitch, for us, was to keep going and, for Newcastle, was always freekicks. Really strange.

"I think the pressure on the game with a not experienced referee was difficult for him. He was not capable to handle the pressure, in my opinion, from a game like this one at St James' Park. That is clear for me."

The FA investigation highlights similar comments made by Silva to various outlets as well as his post-match press conference in which he appeared to question the integrity of the match officials.

An FA statement confirming Silva's punishment read: "Fulham FC's manager Marco Silva has been fined £80,000 and warned as to his future conduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 following their Premier League game against Newcastle United FC on Saturday 16 December 2023.    "Mr Silva admitted that his comments in the post-match media interviews following the fixture, constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of, and/or are insulting towards the match official (Referee) and/or the Video Assistant Referee, and/or bring the game into disrepute. The sanction was imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission."

Silva isn't the first manager to be charged by the FA for his comments following a clash with the Magpies this season. Mikel Arteta was also charged following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at St James' Park but the Spaniard subsequently had that charge dropped after an appeal by the Gunners.



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/fa-make-official-decision-on-newcastle-united-incident-fulham-rule-break-after-arsenal-u-turn-4504031

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Report: Wolves' Financial Fair Play Strategy Unpacked

Navigating Financial Fair Play: Wolves' Prudent Approach to the Transfer Market
Balancing Act in the Transfer Window
In a recent revelation by Gary O'Neil, Wolverhampton Wanderers' approach to the January transfer window underscores the delicate balancing act football clubs face in navigating Financial Fair Play regulations. Wolves' interest in Chelsea striker Armando Broja was a storyline followed with great interest, but the potential deal raised concerns about financial viability and the broader implications for the club's future.

As reported by Tom Colomosse in the Daily Mail, Wolves' caution in the transfer market is a reflection of the club's commitment to sustainability and compliance with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. Despite a significant influx of funds from player sales last summer, amounting to £140 million, Wolves remain wary of the financial thresholds that have ensnared clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest, with Everton already facing a points deduction this season.

The Broja Dilemma
Armando Broja's potential loan move to Molineux was a topic of considerable speculation. However, the club's decision to withdraw from negotiations, not once but twice, underscores the financial prudence governing their transfer strategy. Ultimately, Broja joined Fulham on a loan deal, which included a loan fee of approximately £4 million, a figure that Wolves deemed beyond their financial reach without jeopardizing the club's standing.

O'Neil's explanation of the situation sheds light on the complexities of modern football finance. "We couldn't afford to go to where other clubs were able to go to without putting ourselves at risk," he stated, highlighting the precarious position Wolves find themselves in. The adherence to financial discipline, even in the face of competitive pressures, is a testament to the club's long-term vision and respect for the regulatory framework.

Strategic Patience
Wolves' restraint during the transfer window is not a sign of lack of ambition but rather a strategic patience aimed at ensuring the club's growth is sustainable and compliant with league regulations. O'Neil's respect for the club's direction and financial health is evident. "We are in a good place financially at least where we haven't broken any rules or taken ourselves into an area that we shouldn't," he affirmed, underscoring the importance of compliance and sustainability in the club's strategy.

Looking Ahead
Wolves' experience in the recent transfer window serves as a cautionary tale for other clubs navigating the choppy waters of Financial Fair Play. The strategic decisions made by the club's management, prioritizing financial health over short-term gains, may well set a precedent for others in the league. As the landscape of football finance continues to evolve, the importance of prudent financial management cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, Wolves' approach to the Armando Broja transfer saga, as detailed by Tom Colomosse, highlights the complex interplay between financial sustainability and competitive ambition in modern football. The club's decision-making process, guided by a commitment to long-term stability, offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by clubs in maintaining compliance with financial regulations while striving to remain competitive on the pitch.



https://eplindex.com/103863/report-wolves-financial-fair-play-strategy-unpacked.html

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Lookman deserves Afcon success for shaking up career after Fulham and Everton
Lookman opted for Nigeria and Atalanta over England and the Premier League - it was the best decision he ever made

ABIDJAN — Ademola Lookman had to think about whether he might ever play for Nigeria. He had won the Under-20 World Cup alongside seven players who have gone on to represent England's senior team, but Lookman is the exception. After long, serious deliberation, he chose the nation of his family heritage over the one of his birth.

Nigeria was always likely to be the easier route to regular international football, but in 2020 Lookman decided to pick England. Now the Africa Cup of Nations might be his route to an extraordinary legacy. "I'm happy I made it," Lookman recalled last year. "This has been the best decision I ever made." Hasn't it just?

The same is roughly true of Lookman's club career, which too shifted in one excellent judgement call. Wandsworth-born, Peckham-raised and Charlton Athletic-trained, Lookman's notorious potential had got a little stuck at Everton, RB Leipzig and then Leicester City. He took Atalanta's offer to move to Bergamo in August 2022, six months after his international switch.

Last season, Lookman scored more league goals than Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic and more in the same team as Rasmus Hojlund. One of them subsequently moved to Manchester United for £64m. Lookman will smile wryly and say that he is happy where he is. He is a man at the top of his game. At 26, potential has gone all grown up.

Nigeria had been waiting for Lookman for two years and were quick to make him feel wanted.

He made his debut six weeks later, March 2022, in a 0-0 draw in Ghana and, when Jose Peseiro got the job in May of the same year Lookman was a prime candidate to feature in the next major tournament.

When Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface pulled out through injury, he became a likely starter.

Peseiro possessed the strongest front three at this tournament before it started and that conclusion has become more emphatic as continental giants have been toppled by a variety of David's weapons.

Victor Osimhen's most fervent supporters would describe him one of the top three centre forwards in world football. Moses Simon has always been a bundle of pent-up possibilities, although he is at Nantes because it has never burned with a steady flame.

Both of those have been supporting actors to Lookman's excellence. He has scored all three of Nigeria's knockout goals and the Super Eagles are better than anyone else at getting to semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. It's usually there that they run into better sides or their own incompetence. Only the latter may scupper them now.

The goal that eliminated Angola was supreme, a collection of technically and aesthetically beautiful elements that combined to break through stupor in stifling heat, like the perfect cocktail on a summer's day.

Simon broke clear of a challenge he always seemed second favourite to win. Osimhen's movement took two Angolan defenders into danger like Hamelin's soundtrack.

Lookman finished with absolute composure with his left foot, high into the net, and then ran away with an expression that said "Fuss? What's that about?".

Part of the charm is that Lookman offers such flexibility and positional versatility that this Nigeria team needs.

With three central defenders, wing-backs and two passing central midfielders, the ball usually ends up out wide with Osimhen screaming for a cross or being worked infield from a similar position.

In that scenario, Lookman can be the free man – he started Serie A matches in five different positions last season. Osimhen is the penalty box presence. Simon is the winger. Lookman is whatever you want him to be.

All around this team, glorious happenstance is building to make them the most likely winners of Afcon for only the second time since 1994, a wretched record given the depth of their resources. Nobody personifies their hopes more than Lookman.

Three years ago, he was an England hopeful and a RB Leipzig player on loan to Fulham. Three months ago he had two handfuls of senior caps and a handful of dreams. Everything since has justified everything else: the best decision of his life.



https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/ademola-lookman-afcon-fulham-everton-2888350?ITO=newsnow

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Stan Collymore gives his honest verdict on Chelsea letting Armando Broja join Fulham on loan
Stan Collymore thinks Armando Broja has made a great move leaving Chelsea and joining Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

Armando Broja completed a last-minute move on deadline day this week across west London.

The 22-year-old striker was in and out of the Blues XI during the first half of the season, scoring just two goals.

Now, he'll get the opportunity to lead the line at Craven Cottage for Premier League rivals Fulham.
Chelsea v Middlesbrough - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Stan Collymore has delivered an in-depth analysis on why Broja's loan switch to Fulham could be great for his development.

Collymore told CaughtOffside: "I think securing Armando Broja on loan until the end of the season is a really good move for Fulham. I really like him — I've seen him play live a few times and he is a decent striker. He was held back a little bit after suffering that really bad injury but he's still young. He's 22 years old so he has plenty of time to fulfil his potential, and obviously sitting on Chelsea's bench wasn't going to do that, so to see him finally in line to get regular minutes is a really positive sign.

"He's a player who has outrageous pace, so his presence up front will help Fulham hit teams on the counter-attack. I think this one will turn out to be a really shrewd move from Marco Silva.

"From what I have seen of Fulham, they have absolutely no problems creating chances and breaking sides down, but they've struggled with putting the ball in the back of the net but Broja is a player capable of doing that week-in-week-out, so I am expecting good things from him in the second half the season."

Armando Broja to Fulham
We'll be keeping a close eye to see if Broja makes his debut for Marco Silva's Fulham side this afternoon against Burnley.

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neill admitted that his side tried really hard to sign Broja at the end of the January window. We're optimistic that a Fulham side that creates a lot of chance can suit the on-loan Chelsea forward, though.

Broja needs to try recapture the kind of form he showed during a loan at St Mary's with Southampton a couple of seasons ago, where he looked fast, strong and a presence up top.

Unfortunately, the youngster's been fighting to get back to his best since a long-term injury layout.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/stan-collymore-gives-his-honest-verdict-on-chelsea-letting-armando-broja-join-fulham-on-loan/

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Super Eagles new darling Nwabali explains why he shouted at most capped player on the pitch Iwobi

Nigeria advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday evening, beating Angola 1-0 thanks to Ademola Lookman's first half strike.

One of the lasting images from the game came in the 59th minute when goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili was pictured shouting at one of the senior players in the Super Eagles squad in Alex Iwobi.

Seconds before, the Angolans came very close to equalizing through substitute Zini, who timed his run perfectly only to hit the post after a through ball by Show.

Iwobi was guilty of some sloppy play in midfield which led to the Angola counter-attack that almost resulted in a goal.

Making his 74th international appearance against the Palancas Negras, the Arsenal Hale End Academy product was the most capped player on the pitch.

Explaining why he berated Iwobi, Nwabali told reporters in the mixed zone: "It's a team game so everyone needs to switch on, it doesn't matter so maybe it was our strategy at that moment. I don't feel like anything happened so it's okay.

"You can see we've kept four clean sheets and conceded one goal, the guys are good. Our understanding is getting better as the game goes. We keep understanding each other."

Nwabali had been rated as doubtful to face Angola after suffering a mild ligament injury during the second half of the win against the Indomitable Lions.

The Chippa United glovesman received the medical green light to make his sixth consecutive start for the Super Eagles in the days leading up to the clash against Angola.

Asked if he's back to full fitness, he replied: "I played ninety minutes today so I hope to keep going."

Nwabaili has become the new darling of Super Eagles fans on the back of his outstanding performances at the ongoing tournament in Ivory Coast.

The 27-year-old has a save percentage of 90.9 percent after five matches, not bettered by any other goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=50340

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