First class all the way for some of the lads, courtesy of the Khans. please log in to view this image That lot were transported to the States straight after last weekend's celebrations. [Interesting to see Fred without a care in the World among them.] The rest of the main squad are with their countries for the World Cup or friendlies; while a few have opted to spend time with the family. Then it's back to the grind with Training starting on 2nd July and our first Premiership fixture on the weekend of 10th - 13th August. [The World Cup starts with the Group Stage on 16th June. Knockouts are from 30th June and the Final on 15th July. Given the mandatory rest period a number of players will be joining late.] A couple of "bounce" games have been arranged early on: * Crawley Town on 7th July behind closed doors at Motspur Park * Reading on 14th July at Aldershot's ground kick off 1:30pm Immediately after the group head to Evian-les-Bains in France, with matches being arranged for Wednesday 18th and Saturday 21st July. Details of other friendlies are awaited and hopefully one will be scheduled for the Cottage on 4th August. [Nice to get a bit of extra time to prepare 'cos we could otherwise have been kicking off in the Championship on 4th - 6th August.] .
The 'showcase' game prior to the season start is against Celta Vigo (Jozabed's club) at the Cottage on 4th August kick off 3pm. Before that the team are in Duisburg,Germany for the Cup of Traditions on Saturday 28th July. It's a strange little one day tournament involving 4 clubs where the first match is for 45 minutes and then, depending on how that goes, either a full 90 minutes Final or a third place play off. The other clubs are the hosts Duisburg, Bilabao and Fiorentina. In fact, despite the unusual format, this should be an ideal work out.
Another fixture has been slipped in - 1st August v Sampadoria at Aldershot's ground kick off 7:45 Same location as the Reading game in July. Can only assume this is because of the work on-going with the pitch at Craven Cottage..
Another game has been confirmed - against Olympique Lyon - at the end of our training week in Evian-les-Bains and before flying back to the UK. The teams will meet on Saturday 21st July at the Stade Pierre Rajon, kicking off at 9pm local time.
And in the middle of the training camp week, a game has been arranged against Fenerbahçe - at the Stade Joseph-Moynat in Thonon Les Bains on Wednesday 18th July, kick-off at 5pm local time.
Fulham 0 Reading 0 (Friendly) Didn't dare risk speculating on the team selection in advance, which was as well - Rodak (T. Ashby-Hammond 72); Christie (Fossey 62), Le Marchand (Jenz 45), Odoi (Djalo 62), Ream (S. Sessegnon 12); Johansen (Cisse 45), Cairney (O’Riley 62), de la Torre (Kait 62); Kebano (Thorsteinsson 62), R. Sessegnon (Fonte 62), Kamara (Thorsteinsson 62). New boy Maxime Le Marchand started at LB but went to CB when Tim Ream had to come off with a head injury inside quarter of an hour. Two things worth noting that Maxime was much, much more comfortable a CB and Steven Sessegnon had a sound game at LB as his replacement. And, noticeable that a number of our main squad (Bettinelli and McDonald for instance) are still missing. Indeed the second half line up was virtually our U23s. Here's a link to our Club reporter's take on the game: http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2018_2019/friendly/reading
In JG's commentary of the game he said they both had minor injuries so not available. Maxime Le Marchand was getting some praise from JG and Jamie, Seri is awaiting his work permit.
And picking up from those at the game, Matt O'Riley was standout when he came on for Cairney. Did Gentleman Jim give him plaudits as well, 2whites ?
Unfortunately Cottager I had to go out at half time so missed anything said regarding Matt. They were singing some praises for de la Torre who was working well with Tom.
The lads are down 2-0 to Fenerbahçe at half time. Not quite sure what the Gaffer's game plan is with his first half team selection. One interesting little point is switching Steven Sessegnon and Marlon Fossey. ...........................Rodak... .Sessegnon (S)..Jenz...Djalo...Fossey.. ...........Cisse...O'Riley...de la Torre... ...Kebano.........Kait.....Thorsteinsson Presumably he'll put out what is predominantly (and currently) the first team for the second.
Changes come in the 65th minute. ......................Bettinelli... ..Christie.....Odoi...Jenz......Fossey.. .....Cairney...O’Riley..de la Torre.. ..Kamara....Fonte...Sessegnon (R).. Ten minutes later Fenerbahce go 3-0 up. At which point team changes to: .........................Bettinelli... ..Christie.....Odoi...Le Marchand....Fossey.. .......Cairney...Francois..Johansen.. ..Kamara.........Fonte.....Sessegnon (R)..
Fenerbahce 3 Fulham 0 (Friendly) Guess these pre-season affairs are more to do with match fitness than anything. Here's a link to the match report from the Club: http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/...edium=Social&utm_campaign=Social-geoff#report
Not sure "luck" comes into it rosc. Jokanovic effectively fielded 3 different teams in today's match. And none of them what you'd genuinely call 'the First Team'.
You might remember a bit about tomorrow's opposition Lyon from last season's Champion's League. Here's a link to a blog giving some gen (some of it quite amusing) on how they're currently shaping up and how they might treat the game - https://lyonoffside.com/2018/07/19/lyon-vs-fulham-friendly-match-preview/
Seri up for the game this evening and a much more serious team altogether: .....................Bettinelli..... ..Christie...Odoi....Ream...Le Marchand... ..........Cairney...Seri...Johansen ....Kamara.......Fonte....R.Sessegnon....
After feilding a strong side we were evidently played off the park against Lyon. so as i said before the bad luck still continues
Lyon 4 Fulham 0 A game of two halves. The first was a hard, pacy game. Lyon pressed high and had the definite edge but it ended 0-0 at half time. A reminder of our line-up: .....................Bettinelli..... ..Christie...Odoi....Ream...Le Marchand... .......................Seri... ..............Cairney....Johansen... ....Kamara.......Fonte....R.Sessegnon.... Of the new boys, Le Marchand looked strong and composed. Seri played the SuperMac role and an awful lot of our play went through him. He was tidy and worked hard. However doubt if that will be his regular role. Quick mention for Tim Ream - he continued where he left off and was quite superb against a mobile, slick front three of Lyon. Not sure why but Kebano came on for Le Marchand at half time and Ryan Sessegnon went to LB. On the hour K Mac came on for Seri and shortly after twin Steven Sessegnon came on at RB for Christie who went off with a head injury. In between those substitutions Lyon scored a goal that had a definite whiff of offside about it. Ten minutes later they got a second through a dodgy penalty. And Jokanovic rang the changes (74th minute) so the line up was now:. ..................................Bettinelli .....S.Sessegnon...Jenz....Cisse.....Fossey ............................McDonald.... ..............O'Riley.....................de la Torre ........Thorsteinsson....Kait...........Kebano To be fair the youngsters weren't phased and showed some intelligent running. Lyon however,showed their Champions League quality and strength, popping in another two goals. The measure of the game can really only be taken from the first half when we fielded our strongest available side (except probably McDonald in his usual position and Seri moving forward instead of Johansen). And we were well tested which is good preparation and a timely reminder that we are now stepping up a League. Our normal passing game was limited due to Lyon's sharpness and hassling. The main problem was up front however, where Fonte was quite ineffective ... say no more about what/who is needed !!
With the way Jokanovic has played the friendlies, I'm suspecting that he has decided to see which of the young players may have the qualities to become squad members. So I don't put too much into the actual results of these games. As has been noted we are lacking in the top striker department in these matches with Fonte and Kamara not having the required spark. Let's hope for some signings soon so that they can be integrated into the system before the start of the season.
