Video highlights of the goals - our first by Tom Richards is the pick of the bunch - [video=youtube;y7nkyGl3W6w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y7nkyGl3W6w[/video]
Sunderland 4 Fulham 0 (U21s) The lads suffered a heavy and disappointing defeat on Monday night. The team was: Norman; Passley, Buatu, Burgess, Evans; Mesca, Sambou (Baba 70'), Della Verde, Richards; Plumain; O'Halloran Unused subs: Casasola, Sheckleford, Rodak, Smile “We didn’t play well,” U21 Manager Peter Grant admitted. “We did some good things in the first half but it was disappointing because the goals we lost were down to our own mistakes and errors that we made. We tried to play football in the first half but we didn’t do that in the second half and, to be fair, Sunderland ran out comfortable winners, so I was very disappointed with the performance overall. In fairness, it’s the first time they’ve put in a performance like that so it was a bit of a surprise and that’s what was more disappointing than anything else.” In what was the clichéd game of two halves, Fulham had their chances in the opening 45, and Grant stressed that his side need to be more clinical in front of goal. He stated: “We probably could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up with the good chances we had in the first half, but we didn’t take them. That’s what I said to the boys, it’s not Academy level football where you’re going to get three, four, five chances constantly – that’s not the way it is. The big step is obviously up to first-team level and you have to be more clinical when you get chances. “You also have to defend much better and not concede the goals that we did if you’re going to progress as a footballer. It was a harsh lesson for them but I had been very, very pleased with the performances so far.” “It was a disappointing display and the boys know that, they’re disappointed in themselves but obviously it’s a progression. They’ve got to keep progressing all the time and it was a step back today, there’s no doubt about that. The biggest positive I can probably take from it is that they were disappointed in their own performance, individually and collectively.”
The fixture list for the Premier League International Cup has been published, with the U21s kicking off their campaign against West Ham United on December 8th, before hosting Athletic Bilbao nine days later. We then close Group B in January with another home game against PSV Eindhoven. We will advance into the Quarter-Finals if we finish in one of the top two spots. Fixtures Monday 8th December (7pm): West Ham United v Fulham (Rush Green) Wednesday 17th December (7pm): Fulham v Athletic Bilbao (Motspur Park) Wednesday 21st January (7pm): Fulham v PSV Eindhoven (Motspur Park) The Quarter Finals will then take place the week commencing February 2nd, the Semi-Finals the week commencing March 2nd, and the Final the week commencing April 13th. As with all home Under-21 games, Season Ticket Holders will be given complimentary access on production of a valid Season Ticket Card. Members and all other supporters must pay (Adults £3, Under-16s/Over-65s £1) for entry to games.
Today's League Cup match against Norwich at Motspur Park has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/november/23/u21-game-postponed
please log in to view this image "Following the postponement of Sunday’s Under-21 Premier League Cup match against Norwich City, we can confirm that this fixture will now take place on Monday 1st December (7pm) at Motspur Park. Please note that the two sides were scheduled to meet in the league on this date, and so that fixture will now be rescheduled too."
Fulham 2 Norwich 4 (Premier League Cup) (U21s) Kit was watching as a number of âseniorâ players started in tonightâs line-up: Rodak; Baba, Buatu, Burgess, Evans; Roberts, Sambou, David, Plumain; Eisfeld; Woodrow Subs: Norman, Casasola, Richards, Na Bangna, O'Halloran However, as we frequently saw in the Jol era, disrupting a settled side to give first teamers game time does not always work. Apart from a 15 minute spell at the beginning of the second half this was a team of individuals. And surprisingly, because the backs were regulars, full of defensive errors. Hereâs the match report from the Club: â The Canaries made a flying start to proceedings and were ahead inside 10 minutes when Joshua Murphy found space on the outside before crossing for Cameron King who was left with a tap-in for 1-0. It could have been two shortly after had it not been for a fantastic Rodák save, but Fulham grew into the game thereafter. Patrick Roberts was the main architect pulling the strings and a good run from the 17-year-old down the right saw him beat three Norwich players but no-one could get on the end of his pass. Chris David then went close with a great free-kick then was kept out superbly by visiting goalkeeper Aston Oxborough. Having taken the initiative, it was a real blow when the Norfolk outfit were awarded a penalty. Ange-Freddy Plumain lost the ball unnecessarily in the box and subsequently committed a foul. Murphy stepped up to sent Rodák the wrong way from 12 yards. The game then burst into life and both sides had chances to net. Firstly Fulham were unable to put the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble, before Norwich hit the bar from 30 yards. Norwich squandered two chances on the stroke of half-time to put the game to bed but found Rodák in fine form on each occasion. The visitors could be pleased with their first half display having kept a compact shape whilst looking dangerous on the break. Fulham started the second period well, though, and were soon awarded a penalty of their own when Roberts burst into the area before being taken down. It could arguably have been a red card but the Norwich defender escaped punishment entirely, although Cauley Woodrow dished out his own retribution by successfully converting the spot-kick. The next goal was always going to be crucial and unfortunately it went the way of the men in yellow as some careless defending allowed them to break through one-on-one, with the ball rolled under Rodák for 3-1. It left the Whites stunned and they soon found themselves 4-1 down to all but extinguish their hopes of a comeback. Chris Davidâs well-hit shot was then kept out by Oxborough but shortly after he did beat the Canaries stopper when his cross sailed into the back of the net. But there was not sufficient time remaining for the Whites to find a way back into the game, as they exited the competition as the first stage.â
Video of the goals - the Norwich celebration for their third beats them all. [video=youtube;qViVsKN2PuI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qViVsKN2PuI[/video]
West Ham 2 Fulham 3 (International - European - Cup) (U21s) This was our first game in the tournament (West Ham had previously lost to Bilbao 5-3 and beaten PSV Eindhoven 2-1). And what a terrific win, with three points that keeps the Group wide open. Adam Taggart was on the bench having got back to fitness. The cover goalie was Dillon Barnes, an ex-Barnet player, who isn’t officially on our books (!?). The team was: Rodák; Baba, Buatu, Burgess, Evans; Roberts, Sambou, David, Plumain; Eisfeld; O'Halloran Subs: Barnes, Casasola, Na Bangna, Taggart Scorers: Tom Eisfeld, Freddy Plumain and Tiaga Casasola
Fulham 3 Portsmouth 1 (U21s) (Friendly) In a friendly at Motspur Park this afternoon good to see Kaca getting a run out and interestingly playing in the No10 spot. In all nine of Fulham’s starting line-up had played for the 1st Team this season. The team was: Kiraly; Voser (Baba), Buatu, Burn, Evans; Zverotić, Eisfeld; Roberts, Kačaniklić (Richards), Williams (Sambou); Dembélé (Plumain) ”Thomas Eisfeld had our first effort on goal eight minutes in, but his 20 yarder was saved easily enough, before Dembélé won possession on the edge of the box 10 minutes later only to fire over with his left foot. The Frenchman went much closer soon after, though, when he was slid in by Kačaniklić, but his angled strike was smothered by the goalkeeper. Kačaniklić then bent one over from 25 yards, before Gabor Kiraly was called into action at the other end for the first time when he claimed a deflected strike. Just before the half hour mark Eisfeld tried his luck again from distance, this time seeing his shot pushed behind for a corner. And from that set-piece Patrick Roberts collected a one-two, beat his man, but then rifled over the crossbar. The goal Fulham had threatened arrived on 39 minutes in stunning fashion. Dembélé was tripped 20 yards from goal, and Thomas Eisfeld stepped up to bend in a sublime free-kick that hit the underside of the bar before nestling in the back of the net. Portsmouth looked to respond and they forced a good one-handed save from Kiraly, but the Whites ended the half with another goal to double their advantage. Kačaniklić beat three men before eventually being taken down as he bore down on goal. The set-piece was further away than his previous effort – some 25-plus yards out – but that didn’t deter Eisfeld who confidently got the ball over the wall and in at the near post. Half-time saw Tom Richards enter the action in place of Kačaniklić, and it wasn’t until just before the hour mark that either goal was threatened. When Kiraly was tested, though, he was equal to the low shot. But the Hampshire outfit did reduce the deficit five minutes later. A clever free-kick saw the Pompey number nine played into space, and he kept his composure to clip the ball beyond Kiraly. The Whites needed less than three minutes to restore their two goal lead, though, with Richards sliding full-back Jordan Evans in to his left. The 19-year-old took a touch before coolly placing his shot across the keeper and inside the far post. Dembélé could then have made it 4-1 when he found space in the box. He opened his body up but put his strike too close to the goalkeeper. The Frenchman then made way for compatriot Ange-Freddy Plumain. The fourth Fulham goal should have arrived on 84 minutes when Roberts was able to round the visiting keeper, only for a recovering defender to make a fine block to keep the teenager’s shot out. Evans almost grabbed his second of the afternoon on 90 minutes when, after playing a slick one-two with Roberts, he powered a rising strike towards the near top corner, but the goalkeeper made a great save to push it behind. From the following corner, Eisfeld went for the hat-trick when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box, but the German’s effort missed the target with what was the final chance of the game.”
Video highlights of the goals - well taken free kicks, great third and woeful defending for their goal (you'll know who when you watch!). And, a great run by Kaca - playing in the middle.
Fulham 1 Southampton 2 (U21s) Chris David made a rare appearance with an assist please log in to view this image and Alex Kačaniklić played (again in the middle) for the first hour. The team was: Rodak; Baba, Passley, Buatu, Evans; David, Sambou; O'Halloran (Richards 40'), Eisfeld, Kacaniklic (Mesca 60'); Plumain Unused subs: Norman, Buffonge, Adeniran [Note: thought Marek Rodak had gone out on loan so not quite sure how his inclusion in the side works] ”The game began at a rapid pace and the first noteworthy incident arrived within the first minute as Dean O’Halloran and visiting goalkeeper Cody Cropper collided following a through ball from Thomas Eisfeld. There was concern for Cropper who appeared to be out cold, and after a lengthy stoppage he was replaced by Will Britt in the Southampton goal. Soon after, they were in front. With 12 minutes on the clock, Fulham failed to clear a cross and Jason McCarthy headed the ball back into the area where former Whites Academy player Bevis Mugabi reacted quickest to turn the ball in. Fulham looked for an immediate response and almost got it when Plumain fed Eisfeld, but the German playmaker blazed over the bar from the edge of the box. That miss looked like it might be crucial as Southampton doubled their lead shortly after the quarter hour mark when McCarthy headed in from a Josh Sims corner. But the Whites hauled themselves back into the contest on 21 minutes against the run of play. Chris David delivered a sweet through ball for Freddy Plumain who raced in on goal before planting a confident finish beyond Britt. As half-time approached, Fulham suffered a nasty injury setback of their own. A good team move saw Plumain sprint towards the area and deliver a deep cross that was bravely contested by O’Halloran. The Irishman collided with the post under pressure, though, before landing awkwardly on his ankle. Clearly unable to continue, he was replaced by Richards. Ten minutes after the restart, Alex Kačaniklić – who took another step towards full match fitness with his inclusion – collected David’s pass but spooned the ball over the crossbar from 10 yards. The Sweden international was then withdrawn from the action, with Buomesca Tue Na Bangna taking his place on the wing. On 65 minutes Plumain tried his luck with an audacious volley that thundered into the side-netting, before Richards went even closer with a fine run and shot that crashed against the post. The Whites were really turning the screw and the lively Plumain worked a promising opening for himself only to fire over, before he was set up by a great Noe Baba ball but miscued his shot from six yards out. It was all Fulham in the closing stages but after failing to capitalise on a free-kick on the edge of the box in stoppage time, the final whistle was blown to condemn Peter Grant’s men to defeat."
Fulham 2 PSV Eindhoven 1 (PL International Cup) (U21s) The lads qualify for the quarter finals thanks to this win. No team details have been published by the Club. ”In a closely fought first half, it was the Whites who produced the first real chance of the game when, after 10 minutes, Ange-Freddy Plumain made his way through the PSV defence with a dedicated mazy run. However, the final shot from the 19-year-old midfielder went just agonisingly wide. Some 10 minutes later the Whites found themselves punished for the miss when Aleksander Boljevic curled in a beautiful shot into the right-hand corner of the net from just inside the box to give PSV the lead. Despite both teams attacking hard in the first half, PSV managed to hold onto the lead thanks to the work of keeper Jesse Bertrams. The second half saw the Whites take control of the game dominating possession, but they were unable to convert until the 65th minute when Sanoh was shown a red card for handball off the line and PSV found themselves down to 10 men. Freddy Plumain converted the penalty to even the score. Fulham continued to dictate play throughout the rest of the second half but couldn’t find the net again until the last kick of the game. Following a driving run from Solomon Sambou, he found Aaron Redford in the box who was subsequently brought down for a penalty in the 90th minute. And again it was Freddy Plumain, who claimed his second of the game with a beautifully struck spot-kick to give victory to the Whites.”
Here's a (slightly scrappy) video clip of the goals, including of course Freddy's two penalties - Still can't get a hang on who was in our team. Particularly interested to see if Chris David played - he could be one of the two Kit hinted today who might be on their way. Anybody spot him in the video?
David played, the club tweeted the line up: Rodak Passley Baba Buatu Evans Eisfeld David Sambou Richards Plumain Taggart
Everton 3 Fulham 3 (U21s) Creditable draw in what sounds like a thrilling match tonight at Southport. And an interesting line-up for us. George Williams and new boy, Jazz Richards included but no place for Chris David or Thomas Eisfeld. The team was: Norman, Baba, Passley, Buatu, Evans, Na Bangna, Sambou, G Williams, Plumain, Richards, Taggart Subs: Barnes, Della Verde, Edun, Redford, Humphrys ”Fulham came flying out of the traps at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium and were in front inside five minutes when Adam Taggart finished off a swift Whites counter. It got even better for Peter Grant’s side in the 20th minute when Freddy Plumain found the net to make it 2-0 to the visitors. Everton responded with Callum Connolly forcing Magnus Norman into a diving save a minute later but the Blues did find the net on the half-hour mark when David Henen hit a screamer from just outside the area. Courtney Duffus saw a first-time effort superbly saved by Norman just before the break and Matthew Kennedy then sent a half-volley inches after Fulham could only half-clear a corner. But the hosts were level on the stroke of half-time when Gethin Jones cross was met by Joe Williams who saw his header find the top corner of the net. Everton continued to pile the pressure on after the break. Five minutes into the second half and Courtney Duffus saw an effort saved, before Brendan Galloway failed to put a chance away after a corner had created a scramble in the Fulham box. It was Fulham who found the game’s fifth goal, however, as the Whites got their noses back in front in the 77th minute when Mesca Bangna produced a low finish from the edge of the box. Fulham’s lead didn’t last long, though, with Everton drawing level in the 81st minute when Blues captain Jonjoe Kenny converted from close range to ensure the sides shared the spoils.”
Judging from the order of names in the team line up, it looks like Richards was playing in midfield. Is that a clue as to where Kit sees him featuring in the firsts? Interesting. Of course, it may be that I'm just trying to read far too much into minor details.
That wasn't Jazz, Captain, it was Tom Richards, he was playing in his natural left wing position. I thought Jazz would get a run out but his exclusion could suggest that he'll feature at the weekend.
Ah, thanks for putting us right, FulhamIreland. It looks like I wasn't paying enough attention to the details!
