please log in to view this image Round 1 please log in to view this image (Image: leaguelane.com) Fulham 1 - 1 Norwich City FT HT 1 - 0 Attendance: 20,134 Referee: James Linington Assistant Referees: Nigel Lugg & Ian Cooper Fourth Official: John Brooks Date: Saturday 5th August 2017 Venue: Craven Cottage Kick-Off: 03:00PM please log in to view this image KIO's not606 Match Preview Tomorrow sees Daniel Farke take his Norwich City side to West London to take on Fulham at the Cottage in Round 1 of this season’s SkyBet EFL Championship campaign. It will be Farke’s first competitive game in charge of the Canaries and the League’s fixture computer has decided in it’s infinite wisdom to match up his new charges against what can only be described as their proverbial ‘bogey’ team. In short City have an absolutely dreadful record against the Cottagers both home and away so if Farke manages to oversee a Canaries win on Saturday he will undoubtedly endear himself to the City faithful from the off. please log in to view this image Daniel Farke will make his Championship bow as Head Coach tomorrow against the Cottagers City’s hosts tomorrow were outside of the top 6 for most of last term but came bang into form at the business end of the season which saw them edge out Leeds United to reach the end of season play-offs. Slaviša Jokanović’s side failed to secure place in the showpiece Wembley final drawing at home against Reading and narrowly losing the return fixture. Richard Stearman and Scott Malone were amongst those who left the Cottagers this close season, while Tomas Kalas from Chelsea, Marcelo Djalo from Spanish side Lugo, Ibrahima Cisse from Standard de Liege and Oliver Norwood from Brighton have joined the West Londoners. This week also saw Slaviša Jokanović bring in Aboubakar Kamara from Amiens for £5M, The striker having scored scored 11 goals in 28 games for his now ex employers last season. please log in to view this image Fulham's new £5M man Aboubakar Kamara The Canaries had ambitions of a swift return to the Premier League last season but failed to live up to expectations finishing a disappointing 8th place, 10 points off the play-off places. A new broom has swept through Colney this summer with a new Head Coach and coaching staff coming in as well as a host of new players. Many out of favour and fringe players have moved on to pastures new which comprises quite a list, Declan Rudd, Ryan Bennett, Michael Turner, John Ruddy, Steven Whittaker, Kyle Lafferty, Conor McGrandles, Graham Dorrans, Sebastien Bassong and Youssouf Mulumbu have all either not had their contracts renewed or have left for minimal fees. On loan Dutchman Mitchell Dijks has also returned to his parent club Ajax after failing to agree terms on a permanent move to the Canaries. It has to be said that not many on that list will be missed by the City faithful but there have been two departures which has divided opinion.Fans favourite Johnny Howson has been sold to Middlesbrough after making it clear that he saw his future elsewhere culminating in an uncharacteristic refusal to train and Jacob Murphy has been transferred to Newcastle United in a reported £15M pound deal. please log in to view this image New City Centre Back Christoph Zimmerman As for incomings, Left back James Husband has joined from Middlesbrough, Forward Marley Watkins has been brought in from Barnsley. Centre Backs Marcel Franke and Christoph Zimmerman have joined from Greuther Fürth and Borussia Dortmund respectively, Midfielder Mario Vrancic from SV Darmstadt 98 and Tom Trybull arrives as a free agent. Two season long loanees complete the list thus far, Goalkeeper and son of ex Canary custodian Bryan, Angus Gunn joins from Manchester City and Harrison Reed arrives from Southampton. With Ivo Pinto, Alex Pritchard, Josh Murphy, Timm Klose and Wes Hoolahan all nursing injuries and Steven Naismith serving a two match ban, the City side that takes to the field at Craven Cottage tomorrow will be totally unrecognisable from that which finished the last Championship campaign. So the stage is set, are you battle ready? please log in to view this image BBC Match Preview Here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40760773 Fulham have won four of their last eight opening-day matches (D3 L1), losing 2-1 to Ipswich in 2014-15. Norwich's 4-1 win over Blackburn on the first day of last season was their first opening-day victory in 14 attempts (D6 L7). Fulham have won have won six of their last seven league games against Norwich City, keeping clean sheets on five occasions. The Canaries haven't won an away game against Fulham since January 1986, losing eight of the 10 meetings in all competitions since (D2). Tom Cairney made more successful passes (3,354) and created more chances (118) than any player in the Championship last season. Norwich City accumulated 70 points last season - the most points they've recorded without winning promotion since 2001-02, having won promotion in the previous four seasons with 70+ points. please log in to view this image Sky Sports Match Preview Here: http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-norwich/preview/374623 Slaviša Jokanović’s Match Preview please log in to view this image Slaviša Jokanović previews tomorrow's match “I am happy with my team. The players are working hard and showing ambition to try and make a good season, and we are ready for the Norwich game.” “Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season,” he said. “They are a quality team with many important players. “I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that [Cameron] Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players.” “We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect tomorrow in the game.” “It’s a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible.” Daniel Farke’s Match Preview Daniel Farke speaks as Norwich City prepare for Fulham “I was born, yes,[When Norwich last beat Fulham away] but I wasn’t there for the past 30 years,” “The same with my players and for some years we would not have played them. It shows it is always hard to play at Fulham and to get some points. I know this. But each game is a chance to change the record.” “For sure it will be a hard first game. We know the record doesn’t look very nice. For me, Fulham is one of the top favourites in the league this year. They got to the play-offs, they were the top team in possession, they have some very good midfielders and they have kept a lot of the same players. It is quite a similar philosophy and strategy to us, to dominate the ball. It will be a hard test with the injuries. I am not naïve. I know we are not the favourite in this game, away from home.” “A lot of problems for us but we have to handle it. We will find 11 players with a yellow shirt to fight for points.” “Russ got a hit on his leg (on Wednesday) so we took no risks and he didn’t train on Thursday.” “He will be another late decision. Thankfully Ivo was able to train this week. To be honest, he missed nearly the whole of pre-season and had just 45 minutes on the pitch. Normally it would be too early to take him with us to Fulham. It will be a late decision whether he is an option for some minutes on the bench. It is much too early for him to be in the starting line up.” “Wes is a little bit further on. He is in a little bit better condition than Ivo. He is not at 100pc, to play 90 minutes, but he will be in the squad and he is an option from the bench. Josh had his first day back with us (on Thursday). There will be another test on Friday and if he lasts the whole session then it could be possible he is involved, probably from the bench as he has not really trained for the last eight days.” Daniel Farke's full pre-match conference here: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/ (Upload N/A) Current Form (Last 6 Competitive Fixtures – Most Recent First) Fulham LDWDWW FULHAM HOME Fulham have won 45%, drawn 35% and lost 20% of their last 20 home games. In their last 20 home games against teams positioned in the top half of the table, Fulham have won 7, drawn 7 and lost 6 of these matches. In their last 20 home games against teams positioned below them in the table, Fulham have won 12, drawn 7 and lost 1 of these matches. Norwich City WDWWLW NORWICH AWAY Norwich have won 20%, drawn 25% and lost 55% of their last 20 away games. In their last 20 away games against teams positioned in the top half of the table, Norwich have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 14 of these matches. In their last 20 away games against teams positioned above them in the table, Norwich have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 16 of these matches. MATCH STATISTICS www.kickoff.co.uk Match History Norwich City Wins: 12 Fulham Wins: 23 Games Drawn: 13 Norwich City and Fulham have met 48 times overall in competitive fixtures, The Canaries have a truly dreadful record against Fulham, the Cottagers historically having the upper hand with 23 wins to City’s 12. The first meeting between the two clubs was on 1st February 1908 at Craven Cottage in the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Cup, the hosts progressing to the 3rd Round with a 2-1 victory over the newly nicknamed ‘Canaries’ Norwich’s best win over Fulham to date is by 4 goals to 2 and was on 2nd May 2015 at Carrow Road in a Championship match up. On the final day of the 2004-05 Premier League season Fulham thrashed City 6-0 to record their best ever win, a result which condemed the Canaries to relegation to the second tier after just one season back in the top flight. please log in to view this image A despondent Robert Green after the 6-0 thrashing at Craven Cottage in May 2005 On 18th September 1937 in League Division Two at Craven Cottage the two sides shared 7 goals with the match finishing 4-3 to the visitors, this remains the highest aggregate score between the Cottagers and the Canaries thus far. All games played between the two have been League fixtures other than three FA Cup ties, the sides have never met in the Football League Cup. Highest Fulham Score Fulham 6 Norwich City 0 Highest Norwich City Score Norwich City 4 Fulham 2 Highest Aggregate (7) Fulham 3 Norwich City 4 Club Connections Those to have played for both Norwich and Fulham include: Roger Brown, Dean Coney, Dickson Etuhu, Mark Fotheringham, Elvis Hammond (Norwich loan), David Healy (Norwich loan), James Husband (Fulham loan), Chris Martin (Fulham loan), Leon McKenzie (Fulham loan), Elliott Omuzusi (Norwich loan), Martin O’Neill, Scott Parker (Norwich loan), Paul Peschisolido (Norwich loan), Gerry Peyton (Norwich loan), Zesh Rehman (Norwich loan), John Ryan, Dejan Stefanovic, Michael Turner (Fulham loan), Mark Walton and Tony Warner (Norwich loan). please log in to view this image Dickson Etuhu in his Fulham playing days Former City player and manager Peter Grant was first team coach at Craven Cottage. City’s Murphy twins Josh and Jacob trialled as schoolboys with Fulham but were rejected. Canary Hall of Famer Mark Bowen was Assistant Manager at Fulham. Jimmy Bullard who signed for the Cottagers in a multi-million pound deal in 2006 failed a trial with City in 2001. One time Canary assistant boss Lee Clark made 149 league appearances for Fulham scoring 20 goals. Ex Canary youngster Cameron McGeehan was with Fulham as a schoolboy. Former Norwich CEO David McNally was Managing Director at Craven Cottage. Former Fulham custodian Tony Parks joined the Canaries as goalkeeping coach in 2014. Ex Fulham striker Bobby Zamora was rejected by Norwich as a schoolboy. please log in to view this image Peter Grant (left) who played for and briefly managed the Canaries also coached at Fulham Did you know? Fulham were founded in 1879 as ‘Fulham St Andrews Football & Cricket Club’ Fulham are the oldest-established football team from London to have played in the Premier League. Fulham played at various stadia until 1896 when they moved into Craven Cottage which has been their home ever since, apart from 2002-04 when they ground shared Loftus Road with Queen’s Park Rangers while their own stadium was being renovated. please log in to view this image Craven Cottage in 1879 They have produced many great English footballers including; Johnny Haynes, George Cohen, Bobby Robson, Rodney Marsh and Alan Mullery. please log in to view this image Rodney Marsh (right) in his second spell at the Cottage seen here with George Best As a second division side, Fulham contested the 1975 FA Cup final with West Ham United at the old Wembley Stadium. The Hammers won the match 2-0 with both goals coming from Alan Taylor who went on to have two spells at Norwich. please log in to view this image Alan Taylor (far right) seen here playing for the Canaries, broke Fulham hearts in 1975 Under ex England boss Roy Hodgson the Cottagers also contested the UEFA Europa League Final in 2010 where they lost 2-1 to Atlético Madrid after extra time. Fulham are unbeaten at home in European competition, in 23 games, with a record of 17 wins and six draws. Fulham fans consider Chelsea as their main rivals with Queen’s Park Rangers being secondary. TEAM LINE UPS: please log in to view this image Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio Norfolk 95.1 / 104.4FM, 855kHz & DAB Digital Radio With Chris Goreham please log in to view this image and Guest Match Summariser Simon Lappin please log in to view this image …… And don’t forget to tune in to ‘Canary Call’ post match with 'The King of Spain' and Rob Butler please log in to view this image OT please log in to view this image C *For an optimum viewing experience of this thread please change default style to ‘grey alternative’ at the foot of this page.
Good to see you 'back in the saddle' KIO and I've gone for a draw, though a small part of me is hoping for a win to set us on our way in what I feel is going to be a very tough season. Bring it on.
I've opted for a Canaries win - just because it's about time we beat them and our new squad is unpredictable to them as well as us.
COME ON!!!!!!! Great to see a KIO match day thread back! Got me all pumped! Above and beyond mate Got no idea how these young foreign guys will gel. Plus a bogey fixture. My head is saying Fulham win. But can't vote til a bit later. Don't want to start the season with a loss prediction...
Fantastic post as ever KIO Anyone watch Norwich City Second XI draw with Sunderland last night? Thoughts?
Good afternoon Guys, thanks for the kind comments. Overall I'm pretty optimistic about this season but not so for today's game. As I have detailed in the OP our record against Fulham is truly woeful and I think the most we can hope for is a share of the spoils. Really hope I'm wrong though and we manage to pull off what would be a shock result IMO #otbc
I voted for a Cottagers win. a) we don't win at Fulham and b) we don't really do opening days - Blackburn last season excepted. Sorry.
Don't apologise for not letting your heart rule your head mate. I've gone for a draw in the poll, ever the optimist LOL
I've voted for a defeat as Craven Cottage seems to be one of those jinxed venues where we cannot get a win, but I think it will be a narrow defeat, e.g. 2-1 and that we will beat Sunderland next week at Carrow Road.
I was hoping Martin would be injured and unable to play and would have preferred Basil up front. Otherwise happy!!!!
Yeah and leave us with no RB... great idea. Pinto in the subs but haven't played many pre season games. The hate for RM is a bit pathetic.
I don't hate. I just don't rate. He almost cost us 2 goals against Brighton in a friendly with slack passing under no pressure. It's not hate though, nice bloke.
