Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 20/02/24...

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Results

Monday 19/02
Everton	1-1	Palace

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Alain Goma Signs On For Sleepout!
Fulham FC Foundation are excited to announce that Fulham FC legend Alain Goma will be joining us on our inaugural Stadium Sleepout!

Goma played for Fulham from 2001-2006, making more than 150 appearances, representing Fulham in their first season in the top flight since 1968 and featuring under Jean Tigana and Chris Coleman.

In recent years, Alain has been involved with Fulham FC Foundation, supporting Refugees Kicks, a programme that offers sporting provisions for refugee and asylum seekers across South-West London. These weekly sessions are aimed to improve each participant's physical and mental wellbeing, whilst providing an opportunity to create and develop new social connections in London.

Refugee Kicks is something close to Alain's heart. "The refugees cause touches me particularly," he told Fulham FC Foundation. "I don't know if it is because of my background, having a dad originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo."

Specifically, Alain has been involved in Fulham FC Foundation's regular Kicks League sessions. In this quarterly tournament, young people from across the Kicks programmes are chosen to represent their session to take part in a league style football tournament at Fulham FC's Training Ground. "I've been visiting the sessions, meeting the participants and also help when there are tournaments at MP. Hopefully I can put a smile on people's face."

Goma will be joining us on our Stadium Sleepout on March 21st in support of Refugee Kicks, just one of the important programmes that Fulham FC Foundation deliver across South-West London.

If you are interested in joining us and Alain Goma, and supporting Fulham FC Foundation, find out more about our first ever Stadium Sleepout at the link below.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/february/19/alain-signs-on-for-sleepout/

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Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount - Manchester United injury news and return dates
A round-up of all the very latest Man United injury news ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Fulham at Old Trafford.

Manchester United recorded a fifth successive victory in all competitions on Sunday afternoon, beating Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.

An early double from striker Rasmus Hojlund fired United into a two-goal lead within seven minutes. Luton halved the deficit with just under a quarter of an hour played through Carlton Morris. The Hatters, to their credit, refused to down tools and pushed United every step of the way, right until the final seconds.

However, as much as they were pushed and shoved, United stood firm to secure all three points, moving themselves to within five points of the Champions League places. The Reds have now won each of their last four Premier League outings.

Just like in the victory over Aston Villa seven days earlier, the three points came at a cost for United with Luke Shaw forced off through injury. He had to be withdrawn shortly before half-time, despite being passed fit in the build-up to the game. With that in mind, MEN Sport has had a close look at the current state of play on the injury front following the weekend.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka has now missed each of United's last five matches, last featuring in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur over a month ago. The specifics of his injury have not been confirmed but it is not believed to be anything too serious.

Manager Erik ten Hag, speaking ahead of the trip to Luton, said he expected the right-back to be out for a couple of weeks. He attempted to train three days before the win at Aston Villa but was forced to pull out of the session.

Lisandro Martinez
The Argentine faces a minimum of eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. His knee buckled in the 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford just over a fortnight ago.

It was a crushing blow for him and United as he had only just returned from a long-term foot injury. He is key to United's style of play and has been the most successful signing of the Ten Hag era.

Missing two matches so far, United have been able to win both without him. His injury has not required surgery meaning, should his rehabilitation go according to plan, he could be back in action by early-April.

Possible return date: Chelsea (A) - April 3

Luke Shaw
Shaw was withdrawn in first half stoppage time at Kenilworth Road and headed straight down the tunnel. He was later spotted hobbling out of the stadium following the conclusion of the encounter.

Naturally, Ten Hag was unable to offer a firm diagnosis of the injury immediately after the full-time whistle when he addressed the media, meaning the full extent of the issue is currently unknown. He did, however, clarify that it 'was not a knock'. United could confirm more this week in the build-up to Saturday's clash with Fulham at Old Trafford.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Tyrell Malacia
If Shaw's injury is deemed serious, United will not be able to rely on Malacia. The Dutchman has not played since the end of last season because of knee surgery.

He has been back on the grass at Carrington for several weeks but is still in the process of working his way back to full fitness to be considered match-ready. Ten Hag, speaking a little over a week ago, said the former Feyenoord ace will take "some more weeks".

Possible return date: Unknown.

Mason Mount
Like Malacia, Mount is still in the process of recovering from a lengthy lay-off. He has been out with a calf problem since mid-November, last featuring in the 1-0 win over Luton on November 11.

Though he has been putting the hard yards in at Carrington, it remains to be seen when he will be back available for selection.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Anthony Martial
Martial is currently sidelined after undergoing groin surgery last month. Following that procedure, United confirmed they expected him to be out for 10 weeks.

Possible return date: Liverpool (H) - April 6



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/shaw-martinez-malacia-manchester-united-28658434

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Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle all 'monitoring' Brazilian talent – Player protected by €60m release clause
Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle United are all interested in Atlético Mineiro youngster Alisson Santana, according to reports from Brazil.

Outlet Globo Esporte is the one with a big story about the 18-year-old, since he's just started showing his potential at the Galo's first team.

It's said Atlético Mineiro nearly lost the player due to a contract situation, but now managed to hold him with a contract until 2027, with a €60m release clause.

That way, they managed to protect him from the European interest, as Arsenal, Fulham, Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen and PSV are all said to be 'monitoring' the player.

For now, Alisson only has eight appearances for Atlético, with one goal scored. He gets all that attention because of the big potential shown in the club's youth ranks.

It's also worth pointing out that Globo Esporte doesn't have any big information on whether Arsenal, Fulham or Newcastle would like to start negotiating his transfer.

He just seems to be another Brazilian youngster drawing European interest, and his first year in the first team should be decisive for a potential move to the top leagues.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/arsenal-fulham-newcastle-monitoring-brazilian-talent-player-protected-e60m-release-clause/

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Fulham handed huge blow ahead of Man Utd clash as Premier League's top tackler ruled out
Manchester United will hope to continue their excellent Premier League form back at Old Trafford this weekend.

Fulham will be without Joao Palhinha for Saturday's trip to Manchester United after the midfielder picked up his 10th yellow card over the weekend.

Marco Silva's side lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, having conceded twice to Ollie Watkins either side of half-time before Rodrigo Muniz pulled one back. The Cottagers pushed for an equaliser and in his desperation to win back possession and start an attack, Palhinha was booked for a late and reckless challenge on John McGinn.

In accordance with Premier League rules, Palhinha will now serve a two-match ban due to reaching the 10 yellow card mark before Fulham's 32nd game. The midfielder missed Fulham's win over Wolves in November after picking up five yellow cards and will now miss Saturday's trip to Old Trafford, having become the first Premier League player to reach the unwanted milestone this season.

The suspension comes as a major blow for Fulham, who have been heavily reliant on Palhinha's defensive nous as the midfield anchor. The former Bayern Munich target has made 105 tackles this season, the most in the Premier League. In his absence, Silva will likely play Harrison Reed, who has only started one Premier League match since the start of December and is a significant drop off in terms of quality.

Saturday's clash at Old Trafford will see two sides in very different periods of form, with Fulham winning just two of their last nine matches. Silva's side have been horribly inconsistent throughout their campaign, typified through a December in which they won consecutive matches 5-0 before losing three on the bounce without scoring a single goal.



https://www.manchesterworld.uk/sport/football/manchester-united/fulham-handed-huge-blow-ahead-of-man-utd-clash-as-premier-leagues-top-tackler-ruled-out-4524465

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National team manager will surprise visit to Fulham training session – Likely means one of two things
Fulham are set to receive the visit from Brazil manager Dorival Junior, according to reports.

As written by ESPN Brasil, the new national team coach is currently in Europe, where he's watching matches and training sessions to decide who will be part of his squad.

Dorival Junior already saw some games in Spain, France and England. He now has a couple of more Premier League matches to attend to, and will also visit some clubs.

Fulham are one of them, even though the Whites haven't had any of their players featuring for Brazil for a while now.

Andreas Pereira only has one appearance for the South American country, made in 2018. Willian hasn't played for them since 2019, and Rodrigo Muniz was never called up.

Since Willian is now 35, we'd say Dorival is either thinking about brining Pereira back to the squad, or giving Muniz his first chance to start, since Brazil have been struggling to find a number nine.

Dorival Junior will make his first call up at the end of the month, and his first game will be against England, which is when we will see if any Fulham players will be there.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/national-team-manager-will-surprise-visit-fulham-training-session-likely-means-one-two-things/

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Manchester United suffer blow ahead of Fulham clash as £31m ace injured again
Manchester United have been hit with another injury blow to Luke Shaw ahead of this weekend's clash against Fulham.

Marco Silva will surely have been watching Sunday's clash between Luton Town and Manchester United very closely.

For one, Luton defender Gabriel Osho is now thought to be a target for Fulham ahead of the summer transfer window.

The main focus will have been United though, as Fulham head to Old Trafford this weekend.

United have hit form recently and will be looking for a victory over Fulham, but they could be without a key player.

Luke Shaw injury ahead of Fulham clash
United rushed Luke Shaw back from injury to face Luton, just a week after substituting him at half-time against Aston Villa.

Shaw worked his way back into contention but didn't even make it to half-time at Kenilworth Road.

The England international was substituted before the break, suffering another injury problem.

Erik ten Hag has already admitted that the situation 'doesn't look great', suggesting that Shaw may well miss the clash with Fulham.

United will surely fear lasting damage for the £31million left back, especially having just rushed him back only for another blow to occur.

Ten Hag now faces a fascinating situation ahead of facing Fulham as second-choice left back Sergio Reguilon is also out.

That means Victor Lindelof may need to come in and he hasn't exactly looked impressive as a full back.

Diogo Dalot may switch to left back but that still means Lindelof playing on the right side.

Silva will surely be tempted to throw Adama Traore into the side to put blistering pace up against Lindelof no matter which flank he is on.

Harry Wilson offers another threat from the flanks, as does Alex Iwobi.

Shaw's injury is a blow for United and Fulham will certainly factor his potential absence into the gameplay as Silva chases a big result at Old Trafford.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/02/19/manchester-united-suffer-blow-ahead-of-fulham-clash-as-31m-ace-injured-again/

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U18s: Aston Villa 0-2 Fulham
Aston Villa succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Fulham in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

Rory Wilson twice went close for the Young Lions in the first half as they looked to get the upper hand at Bodymoor Heath.

But second-half goals from Oliver Gofford and Jayden Quashie did the damage for the Cottagers as Villa were left empty handed.

Sam Proctor was forced into a couple of early saves before Wilson came within inches of latching on to Cole Brannigan's ball across the box and giving Villa the lead.

Fulham goalkeeper Dino Kaiser collected a low effort from Abube Onuchukwu, while Wilson saw his delicate 12-yard lob fall inches wide of the far post as the hosts pushed for the opener.

Proctor got down to his right to deny Chibuzo Nwoko and parried from Aaron Loupalo-Bi as it remained goalless at the break.

But the visitors opened the scoring just after the hour mark when Loupalo-Bi fed Gofford and he converted from a central position just inside the area.

A defensive mix-up almost allowed Gofford the opportunity to add another but his 25-yard strike at an open goal flew wide of the target.

Yet Quashie did add a second for Fulham in the 84th minute as he latched on to another assist from Loupalo-Bi to convert from close range.

Aston Villa U18: Proctor, TJ Carroll, Timson, McDowell, Simpson (Hayward 67'), Hemmings, Onuchukwu (Green 77'), Brannigan, Mulley, Wilson (Pavey 59'), Fortes.

Subs: Hammond, Ramsey.

Fulham U18: Kaiser, De Jesus (Tabares 77'), Amissah, Nsasi, Slade, Quashie, Nwoko (White 88'), Gofford, Olyott, Loupalo-Bi, Ali Wahid.

Subs: Mayer, Evans, Platel.



https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/february/19/u18s--aston-villa-0-2-fulham/

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Reed on Southgate's radar
Gareth Southgate is considering handing Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed an England call-up for next month's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, according to the Daily Mail.

The England head coach has been discouraged by Kalvin Philipps' disastrous start to his loan spell with West Ham United and is drawing up a list of alternatives to the 28 year-old. Reed, who was outstanding as Marco Silva's side finished tenth on their return to the top flight last term, has made 171 appearances for the Whites since signing from Southampton, initially on loan in August 2019.

The Worthing-born midfielder will likely come back to Silva's starting line-up on Saturday at Old Trafford as Joao Palhinha serves the first game of a two-match ban after picking up his tenth booking of the season in the 2-1 win by Aston Villa last weekend.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/02/reed-on-southgates-radar/

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So, Southgate considering giving Reed an England cap. Surely Silva has to start with Reed in Palhinha's place at Old Trafford.