1. 82
Official Matchday Programme • Fulham Vs. Newcastle United | 05•08•16
The Final Word
16061
T
here’s no doubt
that Newcastle
and Fulham
will have
promotion
on their minds this season,
with both clubs committing
themselves to rebuilding this
summer.
Newcastle, managed by a
Champions League winner
in Rafa Benitez, will go into
tonight’s match as favourites
and arguably boast the
strongest squad in the division.
It’s no surprise that the Toon
Army are backed by most to
finish at the top come May.
Despite the sale of star
midfielder Georginio
Wijnaldum this summer,
Newcastle have spent wisely,
bringing in, amongst others,
the likes of Dwight Gayle and
Matt Ritchie - these are two
impressive talents who will
deliver at this level.
But Fulham go into the
game full of confidence after
an excellent pre-season. With
Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović
implementing his own style on
the team, the Whites head into
the campaign with high hopes
of achieving something special.
Jokanović has been able to
add some much-needed pace
to the side with the signings
of Floyd Ayité and Sone Aluko.
With those two stretching
defences, Tom Cairney should
find himself with more space
to operate in the final third and
play a killer pass. With Aluko
in the number 10 role against
Crystal Palace last Saturday,
his freedom to roam the pitch
allowed Cairney to drift in
from the right, causing the
Eagles’ defence a number of
problems.
Should Fulham keep up
that fluidity and movement
tonight, Newcastle’s quality
will be tested.
After some of the Fulham
squad missed the Palace
friendly due to illness and
injury, Jokanović will be
hoping Marcus Bettinelli
and David Button will be
available for selection,
although Jesse Joronen
impressed last weekend.
It will be interesting to see if
young Ryan Sessegnon starts at
left-back, too, or whether Denis
Odoi, Scott Malone (pictured)
or Tim Ream get the nod. Odoi
can also operate at right-back,
as can Richard Stearman and
Tomas Kalas. It’s a blow to lose
Ryan Fredericks for a couple of
months at least, but his absence
creates an opportunity for
someone else to step up.
There will be an interesting
battle in the centre of the park
tonight with both Fulham and
Newcastle boasting impressive
midfields. If Fulham can win
the contest in that position this
evening, the Whites could well
open the campaign with three
points.
If it is a draw or a loss for
Fulham this evening, a season
isn’t defined after just one
performance. With Jokanović
still trying to add to his squad,
Fulham should have a much
stronger set of resources to
utilise for their third season in
the Championship.
Most importantly, let’s make
Craven Cottage a fortress
tonight. Let’s get the place
rocking and do everything
we possibly can as fans to
encourage the side. We’re in
a much-better position than
previous seasons and we’ll
only progress as a club. The
foundations have been laid for
a stronger Fulham; now we just
have to build upon them.
Tweet your thoughts to
me @ABronsSmith
It will be interesting to see if
16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon starts
at left-back, too, or whether Denis
Odoi, Scott Malone or Tim Ream get
the nod”
Adam Brons-Smith
Just a few years back, tonight’s fixture would have
been a Premier League encounter but, after some
disappointing seasons, both Newcastle and Fulham find
themselves in the Championship…
The
Craven
Corner
injury, Jokanović will be
hoping Marcus Bettinelli
and David Button will be
available for selection,
although Jesse Joronen
impressed last weekend.
young Ryan Sessegnon starts at
left-back, too, or whether Denis
Odoi, Scott Malone
or Tim Ream get the nod. Odoi
can also operate at right-back,
as can Richard Stearman and
Fulham FC Honours
Champions: Football League Division One: 2000/01, Football League Division Two: 1948/49, 1998/99, Football League Division Three (South): 1931/32, Football Combination: 2001
Promoted:FootballLeagueDivTwo:1958/59(Runners-up), FootballLeagueDivisionThree:1970/71(Runners-up); 1981-82 (Third Place); 1996/97 (Runners-up)
Cup Competitions: Intertoto Cup Winners: 2002 • UEFA Europa League Finalists: 2010 • FA Cup Finalists: 1975 • Anglo-Scottish Cup Finalists: 1975
FFC-082-BP-Interview.indd 82 03/08/2016 17:35