Well, what a difference a week makes.
From a fanbase and a dressing room in disarray, to harmony and optimism as Fulham look to enter this long break in domestic action with three points.
Last week’s preview focused on whether we could get out of Anfield in a respectable manner, and that objective was achieved with aplomb. We added the icing to the cake with a win against West Ham in midweek.
As someone originally from Essex, there is nothing better than beating West Ham and the cast of Danny Dyers that go with it.
Fulham host Manchester United with two very respectable results behind them, and green shoots aplenty. The performance at Anfield was measured, solid and showed resolve – we could even have stolen three points if Gonzalo had leathered it. There was balance, physicality and fight; the team looked incredibly well prepared.
The London Stadium saw Fulham stroll in, take three leads and exit after 90 minutes of chaos. There was some lovely attacking football, but also some big question marks over the defending, particularly at set-pieces.
Onto United then, who’ve had a very smooth start to the season with [checks notes] Michael Carrick already under immense pressure to stop the slide.
A capitulation against Brighton in the cup becomes the latest mark against the Red Devils, who’ve also lost or drawn against Hull City, Everton and Manchester City. United were tipped to challenge Arsenal and City this year, but could it already be over?
Here are five things to look out for this week.
1. Is it must-win for both of us?
We spoke about Palace feeling like a must-win, but this really does feel like that territory for both sides – potentially for different reasons. Fulham are starting to show signs of life, a spirited performance at Anfield netted the first points of the season and they’ll be hoping for more. United, on the other hand, are vulnerable and need to stop the spiral. They’ve picked up one win all season and would have hoped for more – the pressure is already growing on Michael Carrick.
Alvaro Arbeloa was particularly complimentary of United, calling them one of the best teams in the world during his pre-match presser. He maintained that the Whites will have to be at their “best level, the same level we saw at Anfield” to get something from this game. Therefore, there is an expectation that the Spaniard will name the same unchanged team that started at Anfield. That same team showed some great promise, there was a balance to the midfield with Charles and Berge working well together, the structure held firm and there were periods where Fulham looked dangerous on the counter. Josh King, in particular, leading the charge. Surely, it’ll only be a matter of time before he gets an England call up.
United’s start has been bleak. Mauled by the Tigers, a meager draw at Everton and a controversial defeat to City, it’s not been great. But the biggest blow was the catastrophic collapse against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, sparking the media into a frenzy. Ahead of this extended international break, Carrick will want – and need – to get three points to shut the critics up. Arbeloa will want three points to keep the momentum going.
2. Battle of the set pieces
This feels very last-season to talk about set-pieces, but this might be where the game is won or lost for the Whites.
Defending corners and free-kicks has presented an issue all season, Liverpool were at their most dangerous when utilising them and West Ham scored two from them in midweek.
Fulham are employing a mixed zonal & and man-marking approach to corners, but look susceptible to set pieces that attack the front post. It’s not ideal when Munoz, the smallest player on the pitch, is winning headers. Opponents have consistently crowded out Leno, which makes the need for more physicality increasingly prominent – Bassey, Berge and Charles need to provide more protection in the box. This will be even more important with Harry Maguire, Sesko and the boys coming to town.
Interestingly, there were only a handful of centre-backs smaller than Bassey and Affengruber this weekend, which demonstrates the Premier League’s transition for size and physicality over technical ability. (Thanks Dan Goga-Cooke for that one!)
3. Managing the transitions
Fulham did a commendable job of this last weekend, against a side that pose significant in wide areas on the counter. They’ll have to do more of the same this weekend, but up against a different style.
United have been at their best this season when games open up; they feel comfortable working into a space and exploiting pockets through the transition.
Bryan Mbuemo came to life against Everton when the game became stretched. As we well know, the ex-Brentford man is at his most dangerous when given space to use his pace. Matheus Cunha, who loves a goal against Fulham, also excels in these situations. The importance of cutting passing lanes and balancing forward commitment will be key to a result. As much as they feel vulnerable right now, United do have the players who can pick off teams when given time and space.
Expect to see the returning double pivot of Charles and Berge as Fulham aim to close the distribution channels, and out-muscle a midfield that is designed to play and pass through teams rather than run through them. Also look for Fulham to pressure in bunches, the high-pressure swarm tactics created chances against Liverpool and West Ham, and the method behind it looks to be clicking for the Whites.
4. Bobb’s breakout
The Norwegian finally netted his first goal for Fulham this week, and it’s about time too. There’s been a mixed feels about Bobb since his arrival from Manchester City, but the promise has certainly been there. His ability to float with the ball and create danger on the transitions has been one of the keys to our success in attack.
Yes, the shooting has lacked at times – and perhaps he was lucky against West Ham – but the balance he has provided with Castagne on the right has been good. The link-up play with Josh King has been far better though and they have become Fulham’s focal point.
While Bobb is rightfully gaining plaudits, it isn’t just him who is showing signs of breaking out. Oscar Palacios registered a goal and an assist on Tuesday, and his game is showing signs of vast improvement – timing, vision and positioning are all improving immensely. His confidence to come inside and create triangles with King and Garcia, or King and Bobb have been a welcome addition. While Iwobi is fit, I don’t see Palacios starting for now, but perhaps the time and space was needed.
5. All change, please
Well this off-season we talked a lot about the end of the road for Joachim Andersen. And a handful of games into the season, it feels very true. Outclassed in every game, looking slow and with poor decision making – this is a different Joa to the one we’ve been used to seeing. So out with the old guard and in with the new: David Affengruber, who looked fantastic against Liverpool. His speed and distribution look good, and he held his own next to Calvin Bassey. Excited to see more of the Austrian.
And one member of the old guard making a comeback is Alex Iwobi. I’m so here for it – the Nigerian gets a hard time, but he offers a lot: great movement, positioning and workrate. Coming inside off the left wing suits him, and it gives Antonee Robinson more opportunities, he can use the ball well and is a creator. His experience out wide helped bring balance against the Reds, and you’ll see it again this weekend. Iwobi also loves a goal against United, so here’s to another.
COYW!