Thursday Fulham Stuff - 29/02/24...

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Man Utd star suffered biggest 'humiliation' possible at the hands of Ten Hag vs Fulham, says journalist
Manchester United were defeated by Fulham over the weekend, but one man will have seen the game showcase exactly where he stands right now.

Erik ten Hag was forced into changing his unbeaten formula this past Saturday with Rasmus Hojlund's injury keeping him out.

This meant the entire front three changed and even with the first-choice right winger moved elsewhere, Ten Hag's £85m signing couldn't even get a minute.

Omari Forson was chosen to start for Manchester United before a series of others moved to the right wing including Amad Diallo in an 80th-minute substitution.

This left Antony on the bench until the dying seconds in a move by Ten Hag which undoubtedly left his most expensive signing feeling disrespected.

Now, this move by the Dutchman which showed Antony exactly where he stands at the club has been labelled a humiliation.

Antony was humiliated by Erik ten Hag against Fulham
Speaking on Optus Sport, journalist Julien Laurens was discussing the fact Antony was given just 55 seconds against Fulham, labelling it as a total humiliation for the Brazilian.

"There's no way back from really in a way a humiliation, because what happened Saturday, on his birthday by the way, that was his 24th birthday on Saturday, to be humiliated like that by someone in Ten Hag who did everything he could to sign you, spend all that money on you someone who worked with you before who got you to play a really good level at Ajax and Antony the last season before he moved to United was really good player.

"We have to be honest here to first start that young Forson who had never started for United in the position of Antony on the right wing, then when Forson came off early, just before the hour mark Garnacho moved from left to right still no Antony. Then Bruno Fernandes moved to the right still no Antony then Amad Diallo came on, still no Antony.

"Then he brought him on in the 98th minute, he played 55 seconds and touched the ball once. I mean, again, I just don't think there's a more a bigger humiliation than this. And again, I don't think Antony whose confidence was already low. I just don't think there's a way back for him personally to recover from this and him and his relationship with Ten Hag, surely he's gone now."

No way back for the humiliated Antony at Manchester United
It seems now more than ever that Antony's time at United could be reaching an end for multiple different reasons which all point to the same thing, despite Ten Hag labelling the winger as 'unstoppable' ahead of the FA Cup game against Nottingham Forest.

The first reason obviously that he's dropped substantially in the pecking order at United and now he's said to be available for transfer this summer, according to reports.

Ahead of this summer, one of the biggest links around United is that Michael Olise is being targeted, a player who'd only further push Antony down the list at United.

With confidence a massive thing for him, recent events surely won't help him find any sort of form which tempts Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co to keep Antony should they get the chance to sell.



https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/man-utd-star-suffered-biggest-humiliation-possible-at-the-hands-of-ten-hag-vs-fulham/

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Fulham's Nigerian duo proved a nightmare for Man United... who else can they disturb?
There was an Africa Cup of Nations reunion in Serie A this past weekend, as Zito Luvumbo and Victor Osimhen squared off once again, while Nigerian duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey dispatched Manchester United in the Premier League.

In France, former Ivory Coast coach Jean Louis Gasset's unlikely career turnaround from AFCON pariah to Marseille messiah continues apace... with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang one of the main beneficiaries.

Naija Nightmares
Iwobi and Bassey were the architects of Manchester United's latest setback, with the Red Devils falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Fulham.

Iwobi left it rather late at Old Trafford, snaring all three points for the Cottagers in the 97th minute after it looked as though the hosts had salvaged a point. This was surely Iwobi's highlight since arriving in West London.

Benefiting from a lively cameo by Adama Traoré, he was fed by the Spain international, cutting into the right channel, forged some space as a feint sent Amad Diallo the wrong way, and then whipped a right-footed effort down low beyond André Onana.

It was a dazzling conclusion to a superb Fulham display, securing maximum points after it had looked as though Harry Maguire had salvaged a draw with an 89th-minute equaliser.

At that point, Fulham had been in the lead for almost 25 minutes, with Bassey getting a second bite of the cherry after his initial effort from an Andreas Pereira corner cannoned back to him off Timothy Castagne, leaving the defender to slam home into the roof of Onana's net.

For Bassey, Fulham's victory was due to their players' greater desire to prevail than their United counterparts... a damning indictment of Ten Haag's charges.

"They have got top players, a top manager and players that can have an effect off the bench, but we were just at it more and I felt we wanted it more," he told journalists after the match.

"That showed in the way we played. I don't think you can just come here and overrun them. You can see the quality of the players they have."

The Nigerian double act secured Fulham's first win at Old Trafford in 21 years, and particularly for Iwobi, was an excellent response to the Super Eagles' AFCON final heartbreak.

Earlier this month, Cottagers coach Marco Silva revealed that the 27-year-old had been subjected to online abuse after Nigeria's defeat by the Ivory Coast, and this was about as emphatic a response to the trolls as Iwobi could muster.

"I'm over the moon right now to come back into the team and get a win at Old Trafford, a big stadium like this, there is no better feeling," he told the club's official handle.

"We feel like we performed really well, we've been performing well recently it is just about getting the results but at Old Trafford we did."

Fulham, now up to 32 points in 12th place, next host Brighton on Saturday, while United prepare for Sunday's Manchester derby agains a high-flying City side that smashed Luton 6-2 on Tuesday.



https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/39614167/fulham-nigerian-duo-proved-nightmare-man-united-else-disturb

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'I saw what Jamie Carragher did...' Fulham's Tom Cairney admits they targeted Manchester United duo
Tom Cairney has shared an insight into how his Fulham side overcame Manchester United by securing a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.

As you can imagine, Erik ten Hag came under immense criticism for Manchester United's performance and how it was easy to play through them.

Two men who started in the middle of the park for the Champions League chasers were – the experienced Casemiro and rising star Kobbie Mainoo.

Tom Cairney, who was introduced into the action in the 68th minute, shared that Marco Silva's side targeted the space in between Manchester United's midfield and defence, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (27/02/24 at 7:05 pm).

The Fulham captain noted Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, but was sure to acknowledge that the 18-year-old is a 'very good footballer'.

The duo started the game, but the Brazil international was forced off after 53 minutes, with Scott McTominay coming on in his place.

Regardless of the personnel on the pitch or the system deployed by the home side, they just couldn't cope with Fulham's constant wave of attacks, with Alex Iwobi scoring the winner late in stoppage time.

And Tom Cairney was asked if there was a specific area of the pitch his team targeted.

Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo
"We knew they were very strong going forward, so we wanted to take the ball off them," said Cairney. "They can get gaps between the back four and the midfield.

"We tried to exploit that with little triangles and playing in behind Casemiro and Mainoo, who is a very good footballer. It kind of worked from the first five to ten minutes. That's why we grew into the game and got the confidence.

"They were kind of chasing the game and the gaps just got bigger and bigger. I saw what Jamie (Carragher) did on Monday night and that was basically it."

Manchester United have a decision to make
It seems unlikely that a top-four finish will be delivered by ten Hag, which more than likely, means no Champions League football for next season.

Many things are changing in the boardroom at Old Trafford and you would assume they will have to make a call on the manager's future sooner rather than later.

With Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, followed by the Manchester derby at the weekend, you feel a lot rides on these two games.

If Man United showcase the same type of defensive fragility, then they will simply get torn apart again.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2024/02/28/i-saw-what-jamie-carragher-did-fulhams-tom-cairney-admits-they-targeted-manchester-united-duo/

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Iwobi and Bassey strikes against Manchester United nominated for Fulham Goal of the Month
Super Eagles duo Alex Iwobi and Cavin Bassey have been nominated for Fulham's Goal of the Month award for February 2024.

The Cottagers  have compiled a shortlist of the ten best strikes across all levels of the club, with the Nigeria national teamers shortlisted for their brilliant goals against Manchester United last weekend.

After 1,456 minutes without finding the net for Fulham, Bassey opened his account in the 65th minute when he smacked the ball home on his second attempt after a loose ball fell to him from a corner kick.

Manchester United were pushing for the winner after Harry Maguire's late equalizer but at the end of the day got a massive sucker punch as Alex Iwobi, who spurned a couple of chances in the first half, popped up with the winner.

In the seventh minute of second half stoppage time, the Super Eagles playmaker slotted past Manchester United's Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, placing the ball into the bottom corner following yet another quick counterattack.

The ten-goal shortlist also includes efforts from Rodrigo Muniz and Callum Osmand who have both been triple nominated.

Goals from England U18 star Lemar Gordon and Women's forward Georgia Heasman are also in the running for the monthly accolade.

Iwobi was named in Whoscored.com's Premier League Team of the Week while Bassey was selected in Alan Shearer's Best XI for the English top-flight after their goalscoring display against Manchester United.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=50625

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Fulham FC Women Craven Cottage Tour

Visit Craven Cottage in the company of players from the 2023/24 Fulham FC Women's Team!

Join us on this special Craven Cottage tour that celebrates our FFCW team and Women's Football on Saturday 9th March, 1pm.

This tour will visit the 1905 Johnny Haynes Stand, Press Box, Craven Cottage, Balcony, Away changing room, Home changing room, Players Tunnel, Pitch-side, Dug-outs and press room.

Whilst you visit these iconic locations of the stadium, you will be joined by Chloe Christison-McNee, Tia Foreman, Anisha Hill, Ella Tagliavini and your Club Captain, Mary Southgate.

You can also pose for photos with our new replica FA Cups following the Fulham Ladies successes in 2002 and 2003!*

Throughout the tour there will be an opportunity to meet the players, with free hot drinks also included in the price.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

*It will not be possible to lift or touch the actual trophies, players in attendance may be subject to change.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/february/28/fulham-fc-women-craven-cottage-tour/

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Bobby Zamora names the Fulham Europa League hero who 'doesn't get the credit' he deserves
Former Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has hailed former teammate Zoltan Gera.

Roy Hodgson's recent exit from Crystal Palace will have brought some nostalgia about the Hodgson era at Fulham.

Hodgson guided Fulham to a great escape in 2008 and then secured a seventh-place finish in the very next season.

The greatest memories came from the 2009-10 campaign as Fulham made it all the way to the Europa League final, losing out to Atletico Madrid.

An incredible journey from Vetra to Amkar Perm, CSKA Sofia, Basel, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg saw Fulham go all the way to the final in Germany.

It wasn't to be on that night and Hodgson ended up leaving for Liverpool that summer, but that team and that season will last long in the memory for Fulham fans everywhere.

Bobby Zamora on Zoltan Gera
Two of the heroes from that side were Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera.

Zamora joined Fulham back in 2008, leaving London rivals West Ham United for a switch to Craven Cottage.

After a quiet first season at the club, Zamora exploded in the 2009-10 season, smashing 19 goals in all competitions.

Zamora was vital to the Europa League run and his link-up with Zoltan Gera is the stuff of legend.

Gera arrived alongside Zamora in 2008, joining from West Bromwich Albion.

If you look at Gera's Premier League numbers, five goals in three seasons doesn't sound all that impressive.

Six goals in the Europa League run made Gera a fan favourite though and Zamora has now raved about the Hungarian.

Speaking on the Fulham Fix podcast, Zamora praised Gera was an 'intelligent' player who just doesn't get the credit he deserves for his career.

Zamora believes that everybody in that Fulham team loved Gera and his 'amazing' right foot made it easy for him to create chances in the final third.

"He's just such an intelligent player, he really is," said Zamora. "Doesn't get the credit but again, he's one of those ones that all his teammates would say 'great lad, amazing trainer, great player'. He just goes unsung and there are so many of those in football as well, there are so many of those players that just go about their job and, without them, teams wouldn't get the success that they do."

"Zolly is one of those. In terms of the understanding, like I said, such an intelligent player. He had an amazing right foot that could find you in any position, whether it was outside the boot, a little dink, whatever it is," he added.

Zamora, Gera and co may not have won the Europa League but their dream run to the final will put them in Fulham folklore forever.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/02/28/bobby-zamora-names-the-fulham-europa-league-hero-who-doesnt-get-the-credit-he-deserves/

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The genius Arsenal and Fulham summer swap transfer deal that would see both clubs hit next level
The Gunners have been linked with a move for a key Fulham player

Joao Palhinha is likely to be a very popular man this summer. The Fulham midfielder seems to enhance his personal reputation with every passing performance for the Cottagers, and as attention slowly begins to turn towards the end of the season and a subsequent transfer window, the expectation is that the Portuguese star will be heavily in demand.

Indeed, a report from Football Insider is already suggesting that Palhinha will be at the centre of a three-way tug of war between Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich over the coming months. All three have been linked with the 28-year-old previously, with Bayern actually witnessing a big money swoop for the player collapse at the eleventh hour last summer.

As for Liverpool, the anticipated departure of Thiago Alcantara almost certainly means that the Reds will delve into the market for reinforcements this year, while Arsenal too are expected to bolster their engine room as they firm up their Premier League title ambitions. For their part, Fulham would understandably be reluctant to lose one of their prize assets, but may be forced into considering 'sensible offers' for Palhinha, as per the club's vice-chairman Tony Khan.

In terms of what would represent a 'sensible' bid, it is understood that Fulham could demand around £60 million for the midfielder, who is under contract in West London until 2028. And that figure could present Arsenal in particular with a problem.

You see, the Gunners need a striker. With their only two senior options at the time of writing being Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, the common consensus is that Mikel Arteta and Edu will spend the vast majority of their effort and resources this summer trying to lure a proven centre forward to the Emirates. The only problem is, players of the requisite quality needed to lead the line for Arsenal don't come cheap. Ivan Toney, perennially linked with the Gunners, could cost as much as £80 million, while Victor Osimhen, another popular alternative, would likely set them back upwards of £100 million.

As such, any opportunity to save money in other areas would be readily welcomed. This is where Emile Smith Rowe comes in. There is no denying that the Hale End academy graduate is highly thought of at the Emirates, but it feels increasingly as if his long-term future may lie away from his boyhood club. Injuries have hindered his first team aspirations in recent times, and there have been suggestions that the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa both admire him greatly.

But if Smith Rowe is to leave, then why not use his departure to help bring in a player who can notably strengthen the Gunners? Even according to conservative estimates, it is understood that Arsenal would demand as much as £40 million for the 23-year-old, and while Fulham would perhaps baulk at that valuation, it would at least suggest that if they so desired, the Premier League title hopefuls could offer up a makeweight with the potential to halve Palhinha's asking price.

Because when all the moving parts are considered, there is a lot to like about a prospective cash-plus-player swap agreement. Arsenal get their man at a reduced price, Fulham bring in a talent who would surely bolster their attacking potential, Palhinha finally earns his high profile transfer, and Smith Rowe starts afresh with a side who would provide him with the kind of first team opportunities that he may never get at the Emirates. Everyone's a winner.



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/arsenal/genius-arsenal-fulham-summer-swap-transfer-deal-would-see-both-clubs-hit-next-level-4536564

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£10m Fulham player is ahead of Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold in one key statistic
Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira is ranking very highly for chances created in the Premier League this season.

Fulham's squad is packed full of players let go by perceivably bigger clubs.

Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi and Willian were all sent packing by Arsenal whilst Harry Wilson didn't quite make the grade at Liverpool.

Tosin Adarabioyo came in from Manchester City and we also saw an arrival from Manchester United in Andreas Pereira.

Fulham struck a deal worth around £10million to sign Pereira after struggling to nail down a role at Old Trafford.

Pereira has become a key man at Fulham – and he is challenging some of the Premier League's very best this season.

Andreas Pereira's key passes
We know Pereira as a pretty creative player in the Fulham ranks and the stats prove it.

FBRef have tracked that Pereira has recorded 58 key passes – a pass leading directly to a shot – this season.

Bruno Fernandes sits top of the table with 74 key passes with Pascal Gross, Martin Odegaard, Kieran Trippier, Bukayo Saka and Julian Alvarez just behind.

Then we come to Pereira in seventh place as the Fulham star rubs shoulders with some of the Premier League's very best.

Pereira's tally of 58 key passes puts him three ahead of Phil Foden and five ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Pereira is also seven in front of West Ham United's James Ward-Prowse, summing up the quality he provides to this Fulham side.

The Brazilian will have enjoyed beating his former club Manchester United last weekend and he will be looking to have a strong end to the season amid rumours of interest from the Brazilian national team.

£10million has been an absolute bargain and whilst Pereira didn't quite make it at United, he is showing his class as a fine Premier League midfielder with Fulham certainly benefiting.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/02/28/10m-fulham-player-is-ahead-of-phil-foden-and-trent-alexander-arnold-in-one-key-statistic/

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Arsenal star may have been sold too soon after 333% rise in transfer value
The Gunners were too eager to sell this star.

Arsenal are a team that, not too long ago, was seemingly stuck somewhere between eighth and fifth place in the Premier League, unable to drag themselves back to the glory of the early Arsène Wenger years and unlikely to fall all the way down to the bottom of the table.

However, the arrival of Mikel Arteta and Edu, combined with a renewed willingness to spend from Stan Kroenke, has seen the Gunners get back to a place in which they can genuinely compete for the top honours again.

This revival has been built off of several years of intelligent transfer business, and while incomings have generally been brilliant, there have been a few sales which, in retrospect, look ill-thought-out.

One in particular might've cost the club a pretty penny over the last year and a half.

Bernd Leno's time at Arsenal
The player in question is German shot-stopper and former Gooner, Bernd Leno.

Arsenal paid Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen £19m for the then-26-year-old's signature in June 2018 - during Unai Emery's first summer at the club - after he had made 304 appearances for Die Werkself, in which he kept 100 clean sheets.

While the 6 foot 2 keeper failed to make it into the Germany squad for the 2018 World Cup, he had already made six national team appearances before arriving in London and would go on to make three more in the following years.

The "extraordinary" number one, as Fulham boss Marco Silva described him, settled into life quickly in N5 and, after spending the first six games of the Premier League season on the bench, quickly established himself as the team's undisputed number one and made 36 appearances in that first season.

In his second season, the Bietigheim-Bissingen-born star would play just 32 games for the club after suffering that infamous injury at the hands of Neal Maupay in June, which left a space for Emiliano Martínez to come in and help the side lift the FA Cup a month later.

2020/21 would be Leno's final year as a regular starter for the club, as in the summer of 2021, Arteta sanctioned the £30m signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, who became the new number one and saw the German reduced to just eight appearances in 2021/22.

With his position within the team now clear, the former Bayer Leverkusen man pushed for a move in the summer and, with his desire to remain in London, was sold to Fulham for just £3m.

Bernd Leno's valuation at Fulham
Leno started life in west London much the same way he did in north London, confidently.

The former Arsenal ace made 37 appearances in his first season at Craven Cottage, kept eight clean sheets and had the second-best save percentage - 77.1% - in the league, behind only David Raya at Brentford.

It has been another barnstorming campaign for the experienced professional this year, with 29 appearances and six clean sheets to his name, and he currently has the sixth-best save percentage in the league at 72.7%.

His impressive season and a half with the Cottagers has seen his value soar past his initial transfer fee, with Football Transfers Expected Transfer Model valuing the 31-year-old at around €15.5m, which is about £13m, or a 333% increase on what Arsenal initially sold him for in 2022.

Now, the Gunners did make an additional £2m from the deal following Fulham's survival last season and look set to make another £2m for the same reason this year, plus £1m for reaching a certain number of appearances. Still, even then, they could have made another £5m at least, had they sold him closer to his true value instead of letting him leave on the cheap.

Ultimately, the Gunners made their choice when they allowed the German to join Fulham in 2022, and while it won't go down as a cataclysmic failure, it is an example of the club failing to sell their unwanted stars efficiently.



https://www.footballfancast.com/extraordinary-arsenal-ace-sold-in-bernd-leno-is-now-worth-more/