Craven Cottage Holds Good Memories For AFCB
After a very disappointing return to Dean Court to watch the in form Cherries play an out of sorts Saints side in a game that had a bit of a build up, but in the end offered little and was in all tense and purposes a damp squid 0-0 draw. Cherries fans went home very disappointed even though their team gained a point. The next game is away in London to play newly promoted Fulham, who came up via the play-offs.
The last time Fulham were in the Premier League was the 2013-14 season, they had been in this league for 13 straight seasons, before being relegated to the Championship. Fulham’s ground is Craven Cottage, it has been their home since 1896, it is situated next to the River Thames. It is often been seen over the years on the TV, as it is on the route of the annual Oxford v Cambridge University’s boat race. One of its chairman between 1959-1976 was a very well known comedian by the name of Tommy Trinder, also a life long supporter of Fulham. Tommy Trinder had a well known catchphrase of ‘You Lucky People’, I suppose that phrase could be aimed at the Cherries fans today, if he was still alive.
Coming more up to date and in the 1995-96 season, Fulham finished in 17th spot in Division 3, their worst ever league finish. In 1996-97 season, Fulham finished in 2nd place in Division 3 and were promoted to Division 2. In the Summer of 1997 Fulham had a new owner, he was Mohamed Al-Fayed the owner of the Harrods Store. He appointed Kevin Keegan and the new owner put funds into the club to spend on players, Fulham finished in 6th place in Division 2. In the second season (1998-99), Fulham finished as Champions and were promoted to Division 1. Keegan left to take over from Glenn Hoddle as England manager. After two seasons in Division 1, Fulham were promoted as Champions of Division 1 up into the Premier League, where they stayed for the following 13 seasons under various managers. Mohamed Al-Fayed sold Fulham in 2013 to their present owner Shahid Khan, he was the person who made a big bid to buy Wembley Stadium recently and later withdrew his offer.
Fulham are managed by Serbian Slavisa Jokanovic, he joined Fulham in December 2015. In the Summer Fulham signed seven new players on permanent deals and brought in five on loan. The following players had undisclosed fees. One signing was a player who had been on loan the previous season, striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle United. Midfield player Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa from Marseille. Two players from Nice, midfield player Jean Michael Seri and defender Maxime Le Marchand. Goalkeeper Fabricio Agosto Ramirez from Besiktas. Defender Alfie Mawson from Swansea City. Those signed on loan are midfield player Andre Schurrle from Borussia Dortmund. Defender Calum Chambers from Arsenal. Goalkeeper Sergio Rico from Sevilla. Forward Luciano Vietto from Atletico Madrid. Defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Man Utd.
Fulham started the season with two defeats both against fellow London clubs. They lost their opening game at home 0-2 against Crystal Palace. The next game was a trip to Spurs, Fulham lost 3-1. Their next game at home, Fulham’s fortunes changed and they beat Burnley 4-2. The beginning of September Fulham had the short trip to the seaside to visit Brighton, they returned with a point in a 2-2 draw. They then faced a tough trip to Manchester City to face the runaway title winners of last season, they came away with nothing after being beaten 3-0. The last home league game in September the visitors to Craven Cottage were Watford, both teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. The last game of the month Fulham travelled to the blue side of Merseyside to face Everton, this game finished the same as their last away trip to Lancashire, Fulham losing 3-0. October started badly for Fulham with two defeats and their keeper having to pick the ball out of his net nine times. The first game was at home against another London side in Arsenal, Fulham were gunned down in a 1-5 defeat, their heaviest of the season so far. Their most recent game was a trip to Wales to face bottom club Cardiff City, Fulham returned home pointless after being beaten 4-2, which was the first 3 points of the season for the Welsh side.
The Cherries have had good experiences on their visits to Craven Cottage. Going back to the season of 1986-87, the Cherries with Harry Redknapp as manager, visited Fulham’s ground. They had the backing of 4,000+ AFCB fans and gained promotion up into the Second Division for the first time in their history, in a 1-3 victory, with 2 goals from Trevor Aylott which included a penalty and a cracking shot from on loan Tony Sealy. The second time was an evening game on the 6th March 2015 in the Championship, this game was being shown on Sky and what a game it was for those watching at the ground and on TV. AFCB players turned on a performance which resulted in a 1-5 victory. The goals came from Brett Pitman 2, Matt Ritchie 2 and a stunner from defender Steve Cook into the top left hand corner of the Fulham net. This win took the Cherries back to the top of the Championship table. Later at another London ground, the Cherries sealed promotion and at the same time winning the Championship title by beating Charlton Athletic. In all tense and purposes they already had achieved promotion by beating Bolton Wanderers at Dean Court in a game also televised by Sky.
In our away league games against Fulham, AFCB have W 4, D 5, L 4. In all competitions home & away, AFCB have W 12, D 9, L 10.
Fulham Team News
Calum Chambers has been out with an ankle injury. Timothy Fosu-Mensah been out with a dislocated shoulder. Joe Bryan hamstring injury. Tom Cairney ankle injury, has been back training.
Fulham Player To Watch
Aleksandar Mitrovic, strong all-round player. Knows where the net is and has 5 goals so far this season in the league, plus 1 assist. Another player is on loan midfield player Andre Schurrle who has scored 4 goals, two in his last two games.
AFCB Team News
There have been no new injuries reported, so Eddie should have a strong squad to pick from.
AFCB Player To Watch
Callum Wilson has 3 goals and 4 assists this season, hope to see him on the score sheet Saturday. In midfield Jefferson Lerma, been getting better with each game and playing a vital role in our midfield.
. And it seems like there's a bit of unrest in their camp, with captain Tim Reams comments recently in the media and the sheer number of players brought in. Seems like the Watford approach to signings is just that; no other teams should really attempt it to that degree.
