Friday Fulham Stuff - 29/03/24...

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Pundit makes 'not the same force' admission as Sheffield United tipped to dig in against Fulham
Sheffield United play host to Fulham on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League action gets underway once more

BBC pundit Chris Sutton expects in-form Fulham to be 'too strong' for Sheffield United when the two sides meet at Bramall Lane this weekend. The Cottagers travel to South Yorkshire with bags of confidence having seen off Tottenham Hotspur convincingly in their last Premier League outing before the international break.

That was Fulham's fourth win in their last six games and such form has been enough to carry them to within touching distance of the top half of the table. Of course, United won't be overly concerned by Fulham's rich vein of form, they'll simply be focusing on themselves as they look to pick up the points needed to launch a push for survival.

The Blades are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and at the time of writing they remain eight points short of the pace required for survival. Chris Wilder's side will have belief that one win could be enough to turn their fortunes around, though, and they'll be eager to pick up what would be just their fourth league win of the campaign to date.

Two of those wins have come on home soil and they'll fancy their chances against a side that has struggled to find consistency on the road, but Sutton believes the three points may just be beyond them.

"Fulham blew Tottenham away in their last game and even though they are not quite the same force on the road, they should be too strong for Sheffield United," Sutton, who is tipping a 2-0 away win, said in his BBC predictions column.

"Marco Silva's side have got better and better as the season has gone on and, in Rodrigo Muniz, they have got a striker who is bang in form.

"We know the Blades will dig in and work hard but at the moment that is pretty much all they have got. It won't be enough."

To make matters worse for the Blades, Sutton is predicting Nottingham Forest to move out of the relegation zone this weekend by picking up a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace.



https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/pundit-makes-not-the-same-force-admission-as-sheffield-united-tipped-to-dig-in-against-fulham-4573429

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Chris Wilder's tricky balancing act as Sheffield United prepare to take on Fulham
Alan Biggs on a key as aspect of Sheffield United's preparations ahead of a return to action after the international break

When fans say "we never got near them" it's normally in the sense of their team being outplayed, outclassed. But you could also apply it in a literal sense to Sheffield United's series of horror shows at Bramall Lane.

So perhaps the redemption starts with that - getting much closer to their opponents in physical distance, however gaping the gap in quality. In other words, as people in the game often say, "letting your opponent know you're there." But not entirely in the way you might be thinking.

In the past, this was often a euphemism for clattering someone. The earlier and the harder the better. You wouldn't get away with that now and I can't think of a manager who'd advise it.

The last Sheffield United player who let somebody know he was there in that manner was Mason Holgate, albeit without deliberate attempt but it left him banned for three matches. Coincidentally the on-loan Everton defender is now free to return. But I was referring more to the need to avoid picking up a yellow card early in a game.

So it's a tricky balance for Saturday's visit of Fulham who, despite being only 12th, have some gifted individuals and are well capable of taking teams apart. As they showed against Spurs last time out.

It goes against the grain for Chris Wilder not to have a go at opponents, in the sense of taking games to them, but right now his first priority has to be making them competitive.

If that means an emphasis on planning to negotiate the first half with none of the early implosions seen against Brighton (twice), Aston Villa and Arsenal then you couldn't argue against it.

Bramall Lane needs to see some regaining of pride and self-respect, which, with an escape from relegation highly unlikely, arguably ranks above the result. But if United succeed in that mission they'll have a much better chance of springing a surprise.



https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/alan-biggs-chris-wilders-tricky-balancing-act-as-sheffield-united-prepare-to-take-on-fulham-4573277

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The 16 best pubs under 25 mins from Fulham ground Craven Cottage ranked by Google Reviews
Fulham supporters will be itching to get back to the matchday routine that comes with fixtures at Craven Cottage.

It's been a long two weeks without Premier League action for Fulham supporters, who have been itching to see their side back in action after a scintillating 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Marco Silva's men travel to Sheffield United on Saturday and fans will have to wait another week to be back at Craven Cottage, when Newcastle United visit on Saturday, April 6. That eagerly awaited return to matchday routine will no doubt include a pre and post-match drink for many Fulham supporters.

With The Boat Race also taking place this weekend, LondonWorld looks at the 16 pubs less than a 25-minute walk from Craven Cottage ranked by Google Reviews - pubs and walking time as per Google Maps.

1. Coat & Badge
Google rating - 4.1/5. Address - 8 Lacy Rd, London SW15 1NL.

2. The Boathouse
Google rating - 4.1/5. Address - 32 Brewhouse Ln, London SW15 2JX.

3. The Rocket
Google rating - 4.1/5. Address - Putney Wharf, Brewhouse Ln, London SW15 2JQ.

4. The Kings Arms
Google rating - 4.2/5. Address - 425 New Kings Rd, Greater, London SW6 4RN

5. Temperance
Google rating - 4.3/5. Address - 90 Fulham High St, London SW6 3LF

6. The Duke's Head
Google rating - 4.3/5. Address - 8 Lower Richmond Rd., London SW15 1ER

7. The Durell Arms
Google Rating - 4.3/5. Address - 704 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5SA.

8. The Brown Cow
Google Rating - 4.3/5. Address - 676 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5SA.

9. The Eight Bells
Google rating - 4.4/5. Address - 89 Fulham High St, London SW6 3JS

10. The Crabtree
Google rating - 4.4/5. Address - Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA.

11. The Golden Lion
Google rating - 4.4/5. Address - 57 Fulham High St, London SW6 3JJ

12. The Fulham Mitre
Rating - 4.4/5. Address - 81 Dawes Rd, London SW6 7DU.

13. The Captain Cook
Rating - 4.5/5. Address - 203-205 Dawes Rd, London SW6 7QY

14. Simmons
Google rating - 4.5/5. Address - 32 Putney High St, London SW15 1SQ.

15. The Bedford Arms
Google rating - 4.6/5. Address - 204 Dawes Rd, London SW6 7RQ.

16. The Bricklayer's Arms
Google rating - 4.6/5. Address - 32 Waterman St, London SW15 1DD.

17. Be At One
Google rating - 4.6/5. Address - 30 Putney High St, London SW15 1SQ.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/the-16-best-pubs-under-25-mins-from-fulham-ground-craven-cottage-ranked-by-google-reviews-4573546

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Rodrigo Muniz – Fulham's goalscoring gamble who has become the Premier League's hottest property
Rodrigo Muniz may have arrived at Craven Cottage in the summer of 2021 without much fanfare but the 22-year-old is certainly making up for it now.

Joining a Fulham side destined to ease to Premier League promotion, Muniz quickly found himself a bit part player as he struggled for game time in his newfound surroundings.

A season-long loan spell at Middlesbrough last term did little to help him adapt, scoring only twice in 17 appearances as his parent club continued to flourish in the Premier League.

And even with the departure of the talismanic Aleksandar Mitrovic ahead of this campaign, many would still not have considered Muniz as the Serbian's natural successor with the signing of Raul Jimenez also suggesting his chances would remain limited.

But after a sensational seven goals in as many games since the start of February, Muniz has suddenly become the Premier League's hottest property.

"Despite not speaking a word of English or even being a starting player back in Brazil, I saw real talent in him when he arrived at 20-years-old," recalled Fulham head coach Marco Silva.

"Last season was not the best for him (going to Middlesbrough) from a football point of view but Rodrigo grew in a different way and that was important for him."

It's testament to Silva that he has persevered with the young Brazilian, who has eventually grabbed his opportunity with both hands due to Jimenez struggling with injuries and suspensions since the turn of the year.

Yet even Silva's patience would have been tested with Muniz's innocuous performances at the likes of AFC Bournemouth and question marks also raised over the forward's general work ethic in leading the Fulham line.

Like many overseas players, Muniz appears to have just needed time to develop and mature as both a player and a person.

His goals have proved invaluable before the international break with his final two, in the 3-0 home win over Tottenham, his finest performance in a Fulham shirt to date.

"I am really pleased for him," Silva told London Football Scene. "When you have the chance, you have to take it and show your quality, the best way you can.

"He is in a good moment – he has the profile and the potential and some really important skills for a striker.

"The way he is improving it is a great feeling for him. It was probably a gamble to buy him two years ago but from pre-season we saw he was going in the right direction."

Muniz's performances have not only helped Fulham navigate what could have been a tricky period for the side, but has also seen the highly-rated January loan signing of Chelsea's Armando Broja consigned to the bench.

While that decision may bring the ire of Fulham's West London neighbours, it's hard to ignore Muniz's continually improving displays of attacking prowess, strength, speed and predatory anticipation.

Before Muniz's goals (and one assist), Fulham had failed to score a single goal in five of their last six Premier League encounters – the anomaly being the 2-1 win over Arsenal at Craven Cottage on New Year's Eve.

Muniz's transformation is testament to how circumstances can quickly change in football and Fulham will be hoping the international break won't have disrupted his goalscoring momentum or that the recent rich vein of form is just a rare purple patch.

Because with question marks remaining over Jimenez, the Brazilian has a real opportunity to capture the hearts of the Craven Cottage faithful and make the centre-forward position his own.



https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2024/03/28/rodrigo-muniz-fulhams-goalscoring-gamble-who-has-become-the-premier-leagues-hottest-property/

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23-year-old backs himself to kickstart his career after being released by Fulham
We have recently taken a look at a few former Fulham talents and how they have been getting on away from Craven Cottage.

The Fulham ranks have been impressive in terms of generating talent but the professional careers of these youngsters have been mixed.

For instance, Ryan Sessegnon was tipped for the absolute top during his time at Fulham but he has now suffered yet another injury blow as his time at Tottenham Hotspur becomes a nightmare.

Similarly, former Fulham wonderkid Matthew Briggs has opened up on his struggles having gone from being the Premier League's youngest-ever player to playing in non-league.

The flip side is that both Mika Biereth and Elijah Adebayo are scoring goals after emerging in the Fulham ranks before moving on.

The case of Sonny Hilton probably fits into the former, with the midfielder failing to really live up to his early potential.

Ex-Fulham talent Sonny Hilton backs himself
Fulham appeared to have landed a coup upon signing Hilton from Tranmere Rovers in 2016.

Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Sunderland all wanted to sign Hilton but Fulham won the race, adding Hilton to the academy.

Hilton was never able to break through into the Fulham first-team and spent time out on loan with Finnish side TPS and then Carlisle United.

Fulham decided to release Hilton at the end of last season, allowing him to leave on a free transfer.

Hilton dropped into non-league, returning to Merseyside with Northern Premier League side Bootle.

The 23-year-old has now spoken to the Liverpool Echo and believes that he can 'get back to the top' – he just needs somebody to take a punt on him.

Hilton highlighted his previous caps with England at youth level and believes that he can get back to the levels which took him to the Fulham academy.

"I played for England from Under-16s to Under-19s," said Hilton "'I've done what people who are playing the game now haven't done. I look back and think, 'wow'. I know I can get back to the top, but I need someone to take a gamble on me," he added.

Every player needs a dream and why not back yourself to make the rise up through the leagues?

Charlie Austin was released by Reading and Sheffield Wednesday let Jamie Vardy go before both players used non-league football as a springboard to eventually become Premier League stars.

Hilton is seemingly aiming to do the same and maybe he can bounce back from his Fulham release down the line.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/03/28/23-year-old-backs-himself-to-kickstart-his-career-after-being-released-by-fulham/

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Fulham to be boosted by defender return against Sheffield United?
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey is expected to overcome an injury issue in time for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Sheffield United.

Bassey travelled to Morocco at the beginning of the international break to link up with his Nigerian teammates ahead of friendlies against Ghana and Mali.

However, the former Rangers centre-back was unable to feature in last Friday's 2-1 win over Ghana due to an injury issue.

After being ruled out of the 2-0 defeat to Mali, the 24-year-old returned to Fulham's training base to work on his recovery.

Despite the obvious concern surrounding Bassey's fitness, the Evening Standard are reporting that he should be available for the upcoming trip to Bramall Lane.

The report claims that early assessments suggest the injury is not as bad as originally feared, providing Marco Silva with a boost ahead of the weekend.

After returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in February, Bassey enjoyed a run of four consecutive starts prior to the international break.

Those run of games began with a narrow 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Bassey opened the scoring with his first goal for the club.

Having started 16 of his 20 league appearances this season, the Nigerian is poised to line up in central defence alongside Tosin Adarabioyo on Saturday.

Do Fulham have any other fitness concerns?
With Bassey likely to be passed fit, Silva has indicated he could have a full squad available for an away clash against a struggling Sheffield United side.

"It looks like everything is going to be OK," Silva told reporters at Thursday's pre-match press conference. "We'll have to assess them on Friday again and take decisions, but no serious problems."

Fulham are currently enjoying a promising run of form, having won three of their last four matches, including a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent outing.

While they may be sitting in the bottom half of the table, the West London club are just four points adrift of eighth place, which could become a European qualification spot by the end of the season.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/injury-news/news/fulham-to-be-boosted-by-defender-return-against-sheffield-united_539982.html?newsnow