Friday Fulham Stuff - 09/01/26...

[WhiteJC]

"I held a grudge against Fulham's Adama Traore for 7 years" – Super Eagles defender Ola Aina
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has admitted holding a grudge against Fulham attacker Adama Traore for seven years, Soccernet.ng reports.

Aina has established himself as one of the top right-backs in the world over the last 18 months, becoming one of the best performers at Nottingham Forest.

The Super Eagles star is exceptionally fast, great in 1v1 situations, and offers a lot of attacking impetus in the final third. However, his game has taken years to polish.

�Before his current stint at Nottingham Forest, Aina had a pretty nomadic career. A product of the Chelsea academy, he struggled to cut it at the club and had to go on multiple loan spells before eventually being sold to Torino for €9.8 million in 2019.

The 29-year-old right-back had a season-long loan stint at Hull City in the 2017/18 season, where he was a regular, featuring in 44 English Championship games. But during his time there, he made an enemy — Traore.

How Ola Aina Held A Grudge With Adama Traore For 6 Years
n a recent interview, Ola Aina recounted how he started holding a grudge because Spanish forward Adama Traore dribbled past him in a 2018 Championship fixture involving Hull City and Middlesbrough, which ended 3-1 in the latter's favor.

Traore, who was at Middlesbrough at the time, basically roasted Aina in that fixture, and that left an indelible mark on him.

The Super Eagles star admitted that he only settled his grudge against Traore last season after besting him in a Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

    "When I was at Hull, he was at Middlesbrough, and he embarrassed me," Aina said on the Beast Mode Podcast.

    "I know I'm quick, so he was on the halfway line, I went towards him, he got the ball, knocked it behind me and ran off. I was like 'oh my days'. That was in 2019, and I promise you I held a grudge.

    "I've told this story to all my boys like Alex (Iwobi), I held a grudge. From 2019, I hadn't played him until last season when we played him at home.

    "When I saw him last season, I said 'yeah, you'll see today, I'll show you'. I was on to him in that game, he will tell you. Then after the game, I told myself, 'grudge gone'

    "He didn't even start that game. I took care of the winger that played that wing, then Marco Silva replaced him with Traore for like 25 minutes.

    "That was the day I had been waiting, I didn't let this guy rest. But now that grudge is gone."

It has been eight years since then, and Aina has become one of the best defenders in the English Premier League.

The Super Eagles star spent the last three months recovering from a hamstring injury, but he returned to action at the start of the year.

Nottingham Forest are struggling badly this season, as they sit 17th on the table despite investing heavily on the squad last summer.

Aina will be looking to boost his side as they look to return to their best in the second half of the campaign.



https://soccernet.ng/2026/01/fulham-adama-traore-super-eagles-ola-aina.html

[WhiteJC]

Man United protest confirmed for Fulham match to demand removal of ownership model
Manchester United supporters group, The 1958, have called for a vote of no confidence towards the Glazer family, Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrarda and Jason Wilcox

Manchester United supporters' group The 1958 have called for a vote of no confidence against the club's owners, chief executive Omar Berrarda and director of football Jason Wilcox, in fresh protest plans. The group have confirmed that demonstrations against the United hierarchy are set to take place ahead of their clash with Fulham on February 1.

The group have slammed the handling of Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford describing performances on the pitch as "medicore" and "chaos" off it. Minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been described as an "incompetent clown" after failing to successfully steer the club toward greater heights.

Amorim was sacked by United on Monday, hours after his explosive outburst in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road. Darren Fletcher has taken charge on an interim basis and oversaw the encounter against Burnley, which finished 2-2, and will be in the dugout for the FA Cup third round tie against Premier League rivals, Brighton.

The protest brings fresh pressure on the Glazer family, Ratcliffe, and now the new-look footballing operations team at the Theatre of Dreams.

There is anger among the supporters who they feel like they have been priced out, marginalised and being treated as an inconvenience.

A protest was held at the end of last season, prior to the showdown with Aston Villa, that saw supporters join forces to voice their concerns about the football club after one of their worst campaigns in top-flight history, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and lose in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

There had been plans to protest United's Premier League opener against Arsenal, however they were scrapped in light of criticism directed at the decision to include Ratcliffe in the action against the Glazer's control of the club.

After delaying their protests against the INEOS boss next month's clash against Marco Silva's side will be the first opportunity taken by supporters to vent their frustrations. Statements against the board have already began to emerge and did so during the 2-2 draw at Turf Moor on Wednesday, a banner was unfurled in the away end claiming: "Jim can't fix this."

United sit just outside the Champions League places but missed out on another opportunity to break into the top four with Benjamin Sesko's double not enough against Scott Parker's side.

Amorim faced frequent pressure after failing to heed the downturn in results that led to Erik ten Hag's dismissal. The former Sporting CP head coach has been at the helm for numerous low points during his tenure at the club, including defeat in the Carabao Cup to League Two side Grimsby.

A spokesperson for The 1958 group said: "It has been an extraordinary and deeply troubling few days at Manchester United. On the pitch, we are watching mediocre performances from an average team drifting without identity, direction, or ambition. Off it, the chaos is even worse.

"A manager has reportedly been dismissed not primarily for abject performances against Grimsby, Everton, West Ham, and Wolves, but allegedly for a heated exchange with Jason Wilcox. Wilcox a man with just nine months' experience as a Director of Football at Southampton is said to have attempted to interfere tactically, despite the club hiring Ruben fully aware of his rigid system. The situation beggar's belief.

"This decision was allegedly endorsed by Omar Berrada, a CEO with no prior experience in the role, listening to the complaints of a close ally rather than exercising independent leadership. We are once again witnessing Manchester United being run by executives learning on the job, at the expense of results, stability, and credibility.

"Let us be clear: this is not a defence of Ruben or the football served up under him. Much of it was unacceptable. But his dismissal once again exposes the continued dysfunction at our club. Manchester United is now a toxic partnership where fans are getting the worst of both worlds.

"WE CALL FOR A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE OWNERSHIP, BERRADA AND WILCOX."

They added: "Earlier this season, we asked supporters if they wanted to protest. Many chose to give Ratcliffe time. That time has been squandered. The situation is undeniably worse. That is why we will protest at Fulham at home on Sunday 1st February.

"Manchester United is 150 years old. That proud history, built by generations of supporters, must be protected.

"If we do not act now, the club we pass on will be unrecognisable, stripped of its culture, its soul, and its people. "This needs to be stopped. We must fight for our club. We must fight for fan culture before it is too late. If you knew you couldn't play tomorrow, how hard would you play today?

"For Ratcliffe and the Glazers the game is over. Time is up. We can take no more and urge as many fans as possible to join us in a massive protest."



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-united-protest-glazers-ratcliffe-33195047

[WhiteJC]

Forest Green sign Fulham midfielder Nwoko on loan
Forest Green Rovers have signed midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko on loan from Fulham for the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old has made 16 appearances for Fulham's under-21 side this season and is described by Forest Green manager Robbie Savage as "one of their best young talents" who can play as "a six or an eight".



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c77k8vx060no

[bobbo]

Ex-PGMOL Chief Says Officials Got Major Decision Wrong in Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that officials got a major decision wrong in Fulham's match against Chelsea, as the Cottagers beat their west London rivals 2-1 to pick up three important Premier League points.

Although the visitors made a bright start, their evening was flung into chaos when Marc Cucurella pulled Harry Wilson back with the attacker through on goal. Referee Peter Bankes had little choice but to send the Spaniard off, earning Chelsea a fifth red card in league matches this season.

Although the Blues held on to a 0-0 draw before half-time, they were pegged back when Raul Jimenez headed home Fulham's first of the night. And while Liam Delap was on hand to grab an equaliser, their joy was short-lived, as the in-form Wilson buried a late winner in the 81st minute.

Hackett: Referee Made Error in Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
The decision to send Cucurella off sparked fury among the Chelsea players, with three yellow cards shown in quick succession due to protests. Yet there was little outcry from pundits and fans, who agreed with Bankes' verdict.

Clarifying the decision online, the Premier League's Match Centre wrote: "The referee's call of free-kick to Fulham and a red card to Cucurella for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed that Cucurella committed a holding offence that did not continue into the penalty area."

However, it's the last part of their statement which Hackett takes issue with. Speaking to Football Insider, the former FIFA referee believes that Cucurella continued to hold Wilson as he ran into the box, which is where he eventually went down. Mike Dean has stated that a penalty and red card should have been shown, and Hackett ultimately agrees with that assessment.

"Mike Dean is spot on with his conclusion on this one," he said. "Under Law 12 – Advantage, the final paragraph gives us the answer."

According to IFAB, Law 12 states: "If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick."

Hackett continued to express his disagreement with the call, adding: "I worry about the law knowledge of our officials. This incident is covered in law and a penalty kick should be awarded.

"Well said Mike Dean, who should be coaching our referees along with Mark Halsey."

Cucurella Set to Miss FA Cup Tie
A red card for Cucurella not only hurt Chelsea on the night, but could also be an issue for the Blues this weekend. They are set to face Charlton in the third round of the FA Cup, with suspensions carrying over into the competition.

Saturday's game will mark the first time Liam Rosenior will take charge of his new side since taking over as Chelsea manager from Enzo Maresca. While he was in attendance for Wednesday night's defeat to Fulham, he allowed Under-21s manager Calum McFarlane to lead the senior side once again.

Elaborating on his decision not to take charge against Fulham, the former Strasbourg boss told Sky Sports: "Just travel. But mainly the fact that Calum did such an incredible job against Man City.

"The performance of the players, especially in the second half, the energy, the intensity, the quality that they played with. They've supported the lads in a really difficult moment in a really good way.

"I flew over from Strasbourg yesterday morning. It's a difficult timeframe for me to get in the tactical work that I need to get into to give the lads the best chance to win."



https://www.givemesport.com/fulham-chelsea-ex-pgmol-chief-officials-major-decision-wrong/

it was a plain as a nose on yer face he was still holding in the pen area . Said it on another site it's either incompetence or corruption.