Our season hasn’t started the way we all hoped. But I don’t think many of us are particularly surprised by it either.
We’d talked all summer about our tough fixture list in the opening five games (one in the eye for the “we play everyone twice” brigade), and more than a few of us brought up the possibility of zero points from a possible 15.
Our solid display at Anfield on Saturday has ended that particular premonition, but there’s still work to be done.
West Ham away in the Carabao Cup tomorrow night presents the ideal opportunity to build on the weekend’s result and put us in a really strong position ahead of Manchester United visiting the Cottage on Sunday.
And cup competitions remain important. I’m not someone who subscribes to the “well, we can concentrate on the league now” argument. A domestic trophy will always be the most tangible route to glory for a club like ours - and I’d rather go down and win one than concentrate solely on league matters.
David Affengruber stole the headlines - and our hearts - on Saturday with a debut that’ll long live in the memory. He’s hit the ground running - so why curb that momentum? Keep him and Calvin Bassey in central defence. He was Calvin third centre-back partner in four league games, and we know that familiarity is key to defensive solidity. Give them a run out before United.
With Ryan Sessegnon nursing a slight knock, it looks like Antonee Robinson will continue at left-back, which I’m fine with - particularly if Cesar Palacios comes back in. The pair could do with minutes to improve their understanding on that side (though I’d want Iwobi back in for United).
On the right, it’s prudent to slot Kenny Tete back in to give him minutes in the bank. We saw on Saturday how crucial it is for the right-back to play a bit tighter and curb that attacking enthusiasm somewhat. I’m impressed with Castagne but remain convinced that Kenny could be just as good an option.
Our central midfield pairing has always been a tricky one to get right, spanning many a manager. Arbeloa got the blend right on Saturday and the duo of Berge and Charles looks to be our first-choice going forward. But Tuesday will give us the chance to get eyes on Hugo Larsson for longer than a cup of coffee, and I’m particularly interested to see Manuel Angel. Much has been said about this particular Madrid starlet and this is the perfect game to get started.
Much has been said about Kevin in the last 10 days or so. Saturday showed that any fallout from his not-so-cryptic social post is old news as far as Arbeloa is concerned, and he got 20 minutes under his belt.
Dan said it on the Quick Take, but it’s worth repeating: Kevin’s workrate goes under the radar. he might not have hit the attacking heights we all hoped so far in his Fulham career, but he’s young, he’s hardworking and he’s talented. I want to see him get 90 minutes on Tuesday - for the first time no less!
Finally, it’d be great to see Gonzalo get at least half an hour to see if he can bag again, but it’s just as - if not more - crucial for Rodrigo to continue to build his confidence. With Kusi-Asare seemingly seconded to the U21s full-time, at least for now, we need both strikers to contribute equally.
A convincing performance that further shows Arbeloa’s tactical evolution would be priceless ahead of a vital league game before a painfully long three-week break. COYW.
The club's ambition is, and always had been, to stay up. That's it.
And, sticking with the reality, Palacios is not a winger.
Great article Drew Kevin has to get 90. I also want to see Anderson. This is either a kick up the a*re and he rises to the challenge or it breaks him. We need a squad that competes to start.