What have we learnt from Arbeloa’s opening 10 games?

Which side of the fence do you fall on?

We’re once again taking a break from domestic football, with Fulham sitting in 15th just two points above the relegation zone.

I wrote an article during the bumper September break about what success would look like for Alvaro Arbeloa this season. It was before the Ipswich game, and I said two wins from those three fixtures felt imperative. Thankfully, we got exactly that.

There seems to be two separate camps forming regarding Arbeloa. Some believe the Spaniard is turning the ship around, while others believe this is just a false dawn - and that trouble’s ahead.

What camp do you sit in? What should the aim be as we get closer and closer to that frantic Christmas period?

In favour

One thing for sure is that Alvaro Arbeloa has learnt from some of his early mistakes. After the 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace in early September it had all the markings of a short and not-very-sweet tenure.

To be fair to AA, he has adapted, and if anything over-corrected. The open, swashbuckling Whites have become more defensively resolute (the inclusion of David Affengruber has aided this), but have sacrificed some of that dazzling football we’d seen in the opening games.

That being said, Fulham have lost just one of their last seven league games following that 3-2 defeat, so who am I to judge? Arbeloa has steadied the ship, got us competitive in games and as of right now, we are above the trap door. He’s also seemingly found his starting XI with Berge, Charles and King operating in a more-than-capable midfield. Chance creation and goal scoring remains a concern and despite sitting on 10 points, we could easily have more.

Substitutions have been a bit of a concern for Arbeloa but in his defence, he got them spot on against Newcastle with Sessegnon and Muniz both playing key parts - Palacios as well (albeit his sloppy pass gifted Newcastle their opener!).

In the words of Jason Cundy: I’m seeing signs. We’re right in the mix, look far more competitive and if we can get the goal scoring right, Fulham will continue to get better and better under their new boss.

Against Alvaro

Some Fulham fans still aren’t convinced by Arbeloa. Despite an improvement, Fulham have played just three of the current top 10, with seven fixtures coming against those around us.

We simply had to have a better return than we did before the first break. I know we’ve picked up now, but zero points from Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Ipswich feels quite damning.

Fulham are also yet to win against a non-promoted side this season and Newcastle felt like another opportunity missed.

Our post-international break run consists of Manchester City, Bournemouth, an improved Tottenham, and Everton (yikes). While we have improved, you could very easily see Fulham come away from those with only a few (if any) points and for all the positivity we’ve had in recent weeks, that would land us back in the same position as early September.

The change in style was needed, but it’s led us to feel quite toothless in attack. Front-foot football has seemingly been replaced by lots of possession and no real end product to show for it. Fans are growing concerned, even if the problem lies more with finishing chances rather than creating them.

Where do I stand?

It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other. Arbeloa has improved and Fulham look far more competitive. I like the balance in midfield, I think defensively we are much more sound than we were, but I am worried about the lack of goal threat. I also think that we should’ve got more from the games we’ve played, which may come back to bite us as we navigate a tricky run of games.

January feels vital; we need another creative option out wide to spark some life into those areas and ensure we don’t run the likes of Iwobi and Bobb into the ground.

We just need to get through a busy Christmas period relatively unscathed. If we can keep our heads above water until the New Year, we put ourselves in a good position.

I’m not sure where the wins will come from, but I am confident they will. If we can just get to January and get a bit of investment (famous last words), I’m hopeful we’ll be right as rain. Come on Fulham!