Monday Fulham Stuff - 18/03/24...

[WhiteJC]

'I couldn't quite make it'... Premier League striker reflects on being released by Fulham
Luton Town ace Elijah Adebayo has reflected on his time at Fulham having developed into a fine Premier League striker.

Fulham have seen plenty of exciting talents emerge but leave the club in recent times.

Ryan Sessegnon, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho all spring to mind, showing big potential at Fulham before moving on to one of the so-called 'big six'.

The case of Elijah Adebayo is a little different though as he had to drop down the leagues after his time at Craven Cottage...

Elijah Adebayo on Fulham exit
Adebayo hails from Brent and joined Fulham at a very young age before progressing through the ranks.

The 6ft 4in target man headed on loan to Slough Town, Bognor Regis Town, Cheltenham Town, Swindon Town and Stevenage before being released in 2019.

Adebayo had to go and find another club and settled on Walsall, where he hit 18 goals in 65 games before being plucked by Luton Town.

The Hatters developed Adebayo into a quality Championship striker, hitting 28 goals across two-and-a-half seasons in the Championship to help Luton secure Premier League promotion.

Adebayo has now made a top-flight impact too, finding the net nine times in 23 Premier League games.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Adebayo noted that he didn't really know what to expect upon joining the Fulham academy at the age of just eight.

Adebayo noted that he only has good things to say about Fulham, praising the staff and players he worked with at Craven Cottage.

The 26-year-old admits that it's unfortunate that he couldn't break through at Fulham, but thanked the club for giving him a platform to eventually become a Premier League player.

"I joined at a really young age, I think I joined in 2006, when I was about eight," said Adebayo. "Obviously, younger ages... you go there and you don't really know what you're going into, it's kind of just starting out as an academy player and going and enjoying your football. As you go up, things get more serious as you get older."

"I can't say nothing but good things about the academy, the group of players that I played with, the staff that I worked with, it was really enjoyable for the time that I was there. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite make it into the first team but they have given me that springboard to then go and further my career elsewhere," he added.

Fulham are likely to be in the market for another striker this summer and hey, why not take a look at Adebayo?

Luton may yet end up being relegated and Adebayo could be another option to work alongside Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez.

We would be stunned if Adebayo wasn't at least on the Fulham radar for the summer and an emotional return to the club shouldn't be ruled out.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/03/18/i-couldnt-quite-make-it-premier-league-striker-reflects-on-being-released-by-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Lukić: Hard Work Pays Off
Saša Lukić doesn't care how he opened his account for the Club, being more concerned with the role it played in securing three points.

The Serbia midfielder doubled Fulham's lead in the early stages of the second half against Tottenham Hotspur, diverting Timothy Castagne's cross in via his knee to give his side a stranglehold on the evening.

"I'm so happy to score my first goal for Fulham," Lukić said. "It was with my knee, it was strange, but it was important to score this goal. I hope to score many goals for Fulham.

"It's really nice to play here [at Craven Cottage] because the fans are like our 12th man, and we give everything for them."

Since excelling at Old Trafford, Lukić has started every match for Fulham and is undoubtedly enjoying his best form since his January 2023 arrival from Torino.

He has had to be patient for his chance, but now the midfielder feels his hard work is being rewarded.

"This was my fourth game in a row," he stated. "Prior to that, I did not play much. It was hard, it was not an easy time.

"I worked a lot on myself, and performances like [Tottenham] and against Man United and Brighton, shows that work has been paying off.

"There are no easy games in the Premier League, whether we play against the top teams like Tottenham or Man United, or smaller teams, it doesn't make any difference, you always have to give your best."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/march/18/lukic-hard-work-pays-off/

[WindyCity]

Fulham 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Player ratings
This was perhaps Fulham's most complete performance of the season. I can't recall the Whites playing better than in the first 15 minutes when we poured forward from the first whistle and seemed to be shredding the Spurs defence at will. After the disappointment of Molineux, I feared that we might pay for failing to take our chances whilst so convincingly on top – but, ultimately, the only surprise was that Marco Silva's side only scored three. What a wonderful night.

Bernd Leno: The former Arsenal goalkeeper was handed the captain's armband by Silva after winning a recall to the German national squad for next week's international fixtures. Leno was distinctly underemployed in the first half, but made a series of stops late in the second half to preserve the clean sheet. The way he celebrated with Antonee Robinson after the final whistle showed just how much it meant as well. 7

Timothy Castagne: Another outstanding performance from the Belgian international who has hardly put a foot wrong since signing from Leicester City last summer. He made the vital second half goal with a clever cross for Sasa Lukic after overlapping Alex Iwobi's burst down the right flank, having sprinted forward to provide another attacking option several times previously. The only disappointment was not to see the net bulge when it opened up for him in the area after another Iwobi run, but Fulham did make the subsequent corner count. 8

Antonee Robinson: When Robinson is on form, he's one of the best left backs in the league. We've long said he's got all the attributes to be a star in modern football – and here was the clearest example of that. He made a minor mistake early on against Dejan Kulusevski but was flawless for the rest of the evening. Muniz might have finished off the opening goal emphatically, but the Brazilian only gets the opportunity because of the quality of the cross from Robinson that picked him out perfectly. That was his sixth assist of an outstanding season. 9

Tosin Adarabioyo: If the ball-playing centre back leaves on a free this summer, the club who signs him will have got one of the all-time bargains. Tosin may have infuriated us at Wolves last weekend, but this was the sort of sublime showing that suggests there is no ceiling for his talent. He was alive to the danger that Spurs posed throughout, making four clearances, but it was only in the latter stages that the visitors put the Whites under any period of sustained pressure. Disciplined and yet ambitious in his distribution, you have to hope that 'bumper contract offer' we reported in the week is enough to keep him at the Cottage. 8

Calvin Bassey: The Nigerian continues to look every inch a Premier League centre back, despite not having played in the division before this season. He was strong in the tackle and the combination of Bassey's pace and power means that Fulham can defend at least ten yards higher up the pitch than before his arrival. Kept Son so quiet that you did wonder whether he was still out there midway through the second half and was unlucky not to score with the effort that crashed against the post before Muniz made it three. 8

Joao Palhinha: Restored to the team, the Portuguese midfielder utterly dominated the engine room to the point where it was an unfair contest for the highly-rated Yes Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Palhinha was booked for his first foul again, but by then the pattern of the match had been set up. He snapped into tackles, winning the most of anybody on the field, and set the tempo early on. What was most impressive about this display was how he looked to play forward, with the most obvious example coming in the way he found Sasa Lukic in space to begin the move that culminated with the second goal. His celebrations for his own strike were cut short by an offside flag, but there was plenty to enjoy despite that disappointment. 7

Sasa Lukic: The Serbian keeps going from strength to strength in the Fulham midfield. Lukic worked exceptionally hard in the middle of the park, but made a succession of threatening forward runs. He might have scored in the first half and did finally get his name on the scoresheet four minutes after half time – even if it wasn't the cleanest contact with his knee on Castagne's cross that looped over Vicario and into the far corner. Thoroughly deserves his place in the team – and it's wonderful to see him finally delivering on the quality he showed both for Torino and Serbia in the past. 8

Alex Iwobi: Moved over to the right to accommodate Willian's inclusion in the starting line-up, the Nigerian midfielder played a crucial part in another resounding Silva tactical triumph. Iwobi successfully pushed the dangerous Destiny Udogie deeper and deeper with a succession of marauding runs and sometimes ventured infield to beef up the central midfield area. Played a key role in the second goal, driving at a panicking Tottenham defence, and picking the right moment to release Castagne before demonstrating his versatility by filling in as the number ten after Andreas Pereira had been substituted. 8

Willian: What can we say about this man that we haven't already put on these pages? Explored the middle of the park regularly to create space for Robinson, which the left back exploited brilliantly for the first goal, and utterly tormented poor Pedro Porro as if he was a teenager rather than a veteran. The vitality of Willian's running and his ability to retain possession even when doubled up on is astounding – and makes him a safe outlet for the ball when his team-mates are under pressure. It remains a joy to watch him strut his stuff and long may it continue. 7

Andreas Pereira: I've been critical of Pereira's performances this season – but only because this is the sort of high-octane display that he is capable of. The Brazilian at his best is crucial to both Fulham's attacking prospects and their ability to defend from the front, especially minus Mitrovic, and he showcased all of those attributes here. Unfortunate not to score during Fulham's fast start, he pestered Radu Dragusin to within an inch of his life and also often dropped into deeper positions to receive the ball and link the ball. 7

Rodrigo Muniz: The former Flamengo forward is in the form of his life. His movement and physicality posed problems for the Tottenham defence throughout and he took his first goal splendidly. His pace means that defences can't push up against him, but nor can drop deeper either. There's an infectiousness about Muniz that makes him a cult hero, but he earns that status with his willing running and his bravery – encapsulated by the way he prodded home the third goal even though he knew was going to get hurt by Dragusin. You wouldn't bet on his remarkable scoring run continuing until the end of the season at this rate. 9

Substitutes:

Raul Jimenez: An encouraging cameo for someone who has been out for two and a half months. Looked eager to impress and worked hard off the ball, no doubt motivated by having seen Muniz take his opportunity so spectacularly. The Mexican is one hell of a handy option off the bench – and produced a peach of a pass to give Wilson a sight of goal late on. 7

Harry Wilson: A lively burst from the Welshman after he replaced Andreas Pereira. Put himself about and ventured infield threateningly as well as being unlucky not to have scored a fourth with a lovely effort that drew a smart save from Vicario in the last minute of normal time. 7

Harrison Reed: Full of energy and several perceptive forward passes having replaced Lukic with around eight minutes to play. 6

Bobby De Cordova-Reid: Covered plenty of ground – as you would expect – having been introduced for the excellent Iwobi in the closing stages. 6

Kenny Tete: Good to see the Dutchman back in action and it was clear he appreciated the warmth of his welcome from the crowd. The battle for the right back spot is ferocious but competition can only be a positive for the squad in the closing weeks of this campaign. 6



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/fulham-3-0-tottenham-hotspur-player-ratings/

The only rating I would change would be Leno.  I think he deserves maybe a solid 4 or 5.  Didn't have much to do in this game, and the clean sheet is a result of a 'team effort', excepting Leno.  Thankfully Spurs weren't very clinical on their few chances.  Both Maddison and Richarlison would have had goals had their near miss shots been on target, as Leno was standing flat footed on both.  And choke artist Timo Werner totally fluffed an easy tap in, that was a result of Leno whiffing on clearing the crossing pass.  Seems to me Leno is still in a bit of poor form, IMHO. 

[Stoneleigh Loyalist]

Fulham 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Player ratings
This was perhaps Fulham's most complete performance of the season. I can't recall the Whites playing better than in the first 15 minutes when we poured forward from the first whistle and seemed to be shredding the Spurs defence at will. After the disappointment of Molineux, I feared that we might pay for failing to take our chances whilst so convincingly on top – but, ultimately, the only surprise was that Marco Silva's side only scored three. What a wonderful night.

Bernd Leno: The former Arsenal goalkeeper was handed the captain's armband by Silva after winning a recall to the German national squad for next week's international fixtures. Leno was distinctly underemployed in the first half, but made a series of stops late in the second half to preserve the clean sheet. The way he celebrated with Antonee Robinson after the final whistle showed just how much it meant as well. 7

Timothy Castagne: Another outstanding performance from the Belgian international who has hardly put a foot wrong since signing from Leicester City last summer. He made the vital second half goal with a clever cross for Sasa Lukic after overlapping Alex Iwobi's burst down the right flank, having sprinted forward to provide another attacking option several times previously. The only disappointment was not to see the net bulge when it opened up for him in the area after another Iwobi run, but Fulham did make the subsequent corner count. 8

Antonee Robinson: When Robinson is on form, he's one of the best left backs in the league. We've long said he's got all the attributes to be a star in modern football – and here was the clearest example of that. He made a minor mistake early on against Dejan Kulusevski but was flawless for the rest of the evening. Muniz might have finished off the opening goal emphatically, but the Brazilian only gets the opportunity because of the quality of the cross from Robinson that picked him out perfectly. That was his sixth assist of an outstanding season. 9

Tosin Adarabioyo: If the ball-playing centre back leaves on a free this summer, the club who signs him will have got one of the all-time bargains. Tosin may have infuriated us at Wolves last weekend, but this was the sort of sublime showing that suggests there is no ceiling for his talent. He was alive to the danger that Spurs posed throughout, making four clearances, but it was only in the latter stages that the visitors put the Whites under any period of sustained pressure. Disciplined and yet ambitious in his distribution, you have to hope that 'bumper contract offer' we reported in the week is enough to keep him at the Cottage. 8

Calvin Bassey: The Nigerian continues to look every inch a Premier League centre back, despite not having played in the division before this season. He was strong in the tackle and the combination of Bassey's pace and power means that Fulham can defend at least ten yards higher up the pitch than before his arrival. Kept Son so quiet that you did wonder whether he was still out there midway through the second half and was unlucky not to score with the effort that crashed against the post before Muniz made it three. 8

Joao Palhinha: Restored to the team, the Portuguese midfielder utterly dominated the engine room to the point where it was an unfair contest for the highly-rated Yes Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Palhinha was booked for his first foul again, but by then the pattern of the match had been set up. He snapped into tackles, winning the most of anybody on the field, and set the tempo early on. What was most impressive about this display was how he looked to play forward, with the most obvious example coming in the way he found Sasa Lukic in space to begin the move that culminated with the second goal. His celebrations for his own strike were cut short by an offside flag, but there was plenty to enjoy despite that disappointment. 7

Sasa Lukic: The Serbian keeps going from strength to strength in the Fulham midfield. Lukic worked exceptionally hard in the middle of the park, but made a succession of threatening forward runs. He might have scored in the first half and did finally get his name on the scoresheet four minutes after half time – even if it wasn't the cleanest contact with his knee on Castagne's cross that looped over Vicario and into the far corner. Thoroughly deserves his place in the team – and it's wonderful to see him finally delivering on the quality he showed both for Torino and Serbia in the past. 8

Alex Iwobi: Moved over to the right to accommodate Willian's inclusion in the starting line-up, the Nigerian midfielder played a crucial part in another resounding Silva tactical triumph. Iwobi successfully pushed the dangerous Destiny Udogie deeper and deeper with a succession of marauding runs and sometimes ventured infield to beef up the central midfield area. Played a key role in the second goal, driving at a panicking Tottenham defence, and picking the right moment to release Castagne before demonstrating his versatility by filling in as the number ten after Andreas Pereira had been substituted. 8

Willian: What can we say about this man that we haven't already put on these pages? Explored the middle of the park regularly to create space for Robinson, which the left back exploited brilliantly for the first goal, and utterly tormented poor Pedro Porro as if he was a teenager rather than a veteran. The vitality of Willian's running and his ability to retain possession even when doubled up on is astounding – and makes him a safe outlet for the ball when his team-mates are under pressure. It remains a joy to watch him strut his stuff and long may it continue. 7

Andreas Pereira: I've been critical of Pereira's performances this season – but only because this is the sort of high-octane display that he is capable of. The Brazilian at his best is crucial to both Fulham's attacking prospects and their ability to defend from the front, especially minus Mitrovic, and he showcased all of those attributes here. Unfortunate not to score during Fulham's fast start, he pestered Radu Dragusin to within an inch of his life and also often dropped into deeper positions to receive the ball and link the ball. 7

Rodrigo Muniz: The former Flamengo forward is in the form of his life. His movement and physicality posed problems for the Tottenham defence throughout and he took his first goal splendidly. His pace means that defences can't push up against him, but nor can drop deeper either. There's an infectiousness about Muniz that makes him a cult hero, but he earns that status with his willing running and his bravery – encapsulated by the way he prodded home the third goal even though he knew was going to get hurt by Dragusin. You wouldn't bet on his remarkable scoring run continuing until the end of the season at this rate. 9

Substitutes:

Raul Jimenez: An encouraging cameo for someone who has been out for two and a half months. Looked eager to impress and worked hard off the ball, no doubt motivated by having seen Muniz take his opportunity so spectacularly. The Mexican is one hell of a handy option off the bench – and produced a peach of a pass to give Wilson a sight of goal late on. 7

Harry Wilson: A lively burst from the Welshman after he replaced Andreas Pereira. Put himself about and ventured infield threateningly as well as being unlucky not to have scored a fourth with a lovely effort that drew a smart save from Vicario in the last minute of normal time. 7

Harrison Reed: Full of energy and several perceptive forward passes having replaced Lukic with around eight minutes to play. 6

Bobby De Cordova-Reid: Covered plenty of ground – as you would expect – having been introduced for the excellent Iwobi in the closing stages. 6

Kenny Tete: Good to see the Dutchman back in action and it was clear he appreciated the warmth of his welcome from the crowd. The battle for the right back spot is ferocious but competition can only be a positive for the squad in the closing weeks of this campaign. 6



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/fulham-3-0-tottenham-hotspur-player-ratings/

The only rating I would change would be Leno.  I think he deserves maybe a solid 4 or 5.  Didn't have much to do in this game, and the clean sheet is a result of a 'team effort', excepting Leno.  Thankfully Spurs weren't very clinical on their few chances.  Both Maddison and Richarlison would have had goals had their near miss shots been on target, as Leno was standing flat footed on both.  And choke artist Timo Werner totally fluffed an easy tap in, that was a result of Leno whiffing on clearing the crossing pass.  Seems to me Leno is still in a bit of poor form, IMHO. 

My My. You do have it in for Leno!  Had those two mentioned shots been on target Leno would not have stood a chance of stopping due to their power. He was no more open to blame for either shot than the Man Utd goalie was for Iwobi's shot

[WindyCity]

Ha, yeah, not the biggest Leno fan here, admittedly.  That said, his flat footedness was clearly pointed out in the broadcast of the game I was watching.  True, your Iwobi mention is well taken, and I'm sure there are certain challenges in being a keeper.  I just would like to see him gain some positive form, that's all. 

Terrific win, happy times to be a FFC fan.