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Games for the Weekend 21/08

For our opening game of the 26/27 season we welcome Chelsea to the Cottage

Fulham v Chelsea

So, we’re off again for a new season of Premier League football, and we welcome our nearest neighbours to the Cottage for an 8 o’clock kick-off.

Having to wait until Monday for the first game is always a bit frustrating, especially when it’s the opening game of the season. Still, a result against Chelsea will make it all worthwhile, King’s goal should never have been ruled out last season!

The loss of Marco Silva has inevitably led to questions about Fulham’s prospects, with some pundits already predicting a relegation battle, and even suggesting that a bottom-three finish is a realistic possibility.

There is no denying that Álvaro Arbeloa represents a risk. His first-team managerial experience is limited, having progressed from Real Madrid’s youth and reserve sides before taking charge of the senior team. But it is equally important not to dismiss what he actually achieved in that relatively short spell. He guided Real Madrid to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they were narrowly beaten by Bayern Munich, 6–4 on aggregate, and finished second in La Liga, just six points behind champions Barcelona. 

That’s hardly the record of a manager who has demonstrated that he cannot cope with senior football. Of course, managing Real Madrid and managing Fulham are entirely different challenges, and the Premier League will test Arbeloa in ways his previous role did not. But there is a significant difference between saying that his appointment is a gamble and saying that Fulham are now favourites for relegation.

Fulham’s recruitment suggests that this is not simply a club hoping Arbeloa can keep them afloat, the arrivals of Gonzalo García and César Palacios from Real Madrid and Shea Charles from Southampton underline the youth-focused direction of the new project, while the club has also invested heavily in strengthening the squad. 

Marco deserves enormous credit for what he achieved at Fulham, replacing him was never going to be straightforward. Perhaps a more reasonable expectation is that Arbeloa needs time to prove himself rather than being written off before he has managed a competitive Premier League game. Of course a relegation battle is possible, as it is for any club undergoing significant change, but calling Fulham a certain bottom-three side seems way to premature.

It’ll be interesting to see how Álvaro Arbeloa matches up against Xabi Alonso, with both being former Real Madrid managers. Álvaro replaced Xabi for the second half of last season, so it’ll be fascinating to see how the two approach this game.

This season we’ll also be without Raúl, Harry Wilson and Issa Diop, but we do, so far, have three exciting prospects in García, Palacios and Shea Charles. Hopefully, there’ll be a few more to come before the window closes?

It’s a new season, a new chapter, and hopefully plenty more to get excited about.

with Anderson suspended and Cairney recovering from a knee operation, Tom won’t be available until October, my squad would be…

squad to face Chelsea

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Friday 21/08
Arsenal v Coventry

Saturday 22/08
Hull v Man Utd
Everton v Palace
Ipswich v Sunderlane
Brentford v Spurs

Sunday 23/08
Brighton v Villa
Newcastle v Liverpool

Monday 24/08
Fulham v Chelsea

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=3

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Games for the Weekend 07/02

This weekend we welcome Everton to the Cottage for a 3 o’clock Saturday kick off

Fulham v Everton

That last minute goal for United really took the wind out of our sails it what could have been a famous fight back.
Raúl now has the “perfect penalties” record, 12 out of 12, long may that run continue, hopefully Fulham will be awarded penalties on a more regular basis?
Kevin getting his first Premier League goal is massive too. Those are the ones that often unlock a player mentally—suddenly the pace feels manageable, the chances look clearer. If that gives him confidence to take shots a fraction earlier or make those late runs again, we’ll take it all day.

The Everton comparison is spot on. Same points, same goal difference, very similar vibes: organised, physical, not a lot given away. Historically they’ve had the edge on us, but recent years feel far more balanced—even when we lose, it’s rarely comfortable for them, especially at the Cottage. The “previous 8 games” 2 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses, shows how close Everton and Fulham are?

All in all, it doesn’t feel like there’s much between us and a solid mid-table season again. If Kevin kicks on, Raúl keeps doing Raúl things, and we turn these nearly moments into points… there’s plenty to be positive about.

I’m assuming that both Lukic and Muniz won’t be available and that our new signing Bobb will be on the bench so my team would be…

squad to face Everton

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Friday 06/02
Leeds v Forest

Saturday 07/02
Burnley v West Ham
Fulham v Everton
Wolves v Chelsea
Newcastle v Brentford

Sunday 08/02
Brighton v Palace

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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Games for the Weekend 01/02

We get to travel to Old Trafford for a 2 o’clock Sunday kick off

Man Utd v Fulham

Haha yeah, that definitely felt like a smash-and-grab with a bit of VAR seasoning on top 
Harry F’in Wilson though… wow, that free kick was pure Harry, pace, dip, precision — the lot. Verbruggen might feel he should’ve done better, but when it’s hit that cleanly, keepers are basically reacting on instinct. If there was ever a moment to shove a contract across the table, that was it. Get. It. Done.
Anderson’s through ball for Chukwueze was absolute class — weight, timing, vision, that pass made the goal. Chukwueze still had work to do, and that single touch to set himself before finishing was top-level composure, that’s the difference between “half-chance” and “goal”.
Brighton responding almost immediately really did suck the air out of the Cottage, you could feel it. Honestly, if I were a Brighton fan I’d be fuming, for once VAR absolutely bailed us out there. One of those where you’re celebrating while quietly admitting: yeah… we’d be raging if that was given against us.

As for United… our record makes for grim reading, going back to 1905, is very poor with only 16 wins, 58 losses and 21 draws, however football has a funny way of ignoring history when momentum kicks in and the form that we’ve showed recently we’ve got every chance of taking a point, or points, from Old Trafford.
Carrick has had them playing with belief again, back-to-back wins over City and Arsenal is no small achievement, especially doing it with structure and discipline rather than the previous chaos, fourth place rewards their bounce.

That said, those “new manager bounce” teams can also be fragile if you get at them early. If we can disrupt their rhythm and avoid gifting them anything, the game really is there to be taken. It promises to be an interesting game, nervy, emotional, and probably not good for the blood pressure.
What’s your gut saying — cagey chess match, or full-on end-to-end chaos? I’m hoping for the latter.

At the time of writing there’s still no “official” signing of Oscar Bobb, plenty of reports that its happened but still no word from the club so he won’t feature for this game.
Unfortunately Chukwueze’s mother died so I don’t think he’ll play also assuming that Muniz, Tete and Lukic are not fully fit my team would be…

Man Utd v Fulham

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 31/01
Leeds v Arsenal
Wolves v Bournemouth
Chelsea v West Ham

Sunday 01/02
Villa v Brentford
Man Utd v Fulham

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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Games for the Weekend 24/01

We get to welcome Brighton to the Cottage for a 3 o’clock kick off

Fulham v Brighton

Losing an unbeaten run the way it happened always stings, but it didn’t really feel like a game where we did quite enough to earn the three points.
Whilst it was a frustrating result, it doesn’t feel like a turning point in a negative sense — more like a reminder of how fine the margins are at this level. If the response is right, there’s still plenty to be excited about.

The positives are definitely there though. Getting both Sessegnon and King back is huge in itself; match sharpness will come, and both add things we’ve clearly missed. Sess in particular just needs minutes — the quality is obvious when he’s fully fit.

Having the AFCON lads back makes a big difference also. The squad suddenly looks deeper and more balanced, especially in midfield and defensively, and Muniz returning to training gives us another genuine option up front rather than running poor old Raúl into the ground.

If we can:

  • keep key players fit
  • add even one or two ready-made reinforcements
  • and cut out those lapses late in games

then top half is absolutely realistic, and Europe isn’t fantasy either — especially with how inconsistent the teams around us have been.

Our record against Brighton is interesting as well, we first played them in 1928 division three(south), with 27 wins, 23 losses and 9 draws.
The last, Premier League, 11 games 5 wins, 1 loss and 5 draws.
Slightly in our favour “overall”, and that recent PL run (only 1 loss in 11) shows we generally match up well with them, even if it’s often tight and cagey.

I don’t think that Lukic, Muniz or Tete will be available and I think Marco will have the 3 AFCON lads on the bench so team would be…

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 24/01
West Ham v Sunderland
Burnley v Spurs
Fulham v Brighton

Sunday 25/01
Brentford v Forest
Palace v Chelsea

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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Games for the Weekend 04/01

We welcome the current champions to the Cottage for a 3 o’clock Sunday kick off

Fulham v Liverpool

Tom’s brilliant goal against Palace earned us a draw, had either of Castagne or Anderson’s shots been better we would have walked away from Selhust with a dissevered 3 points, still a point away from home is a good result.

The first game against Liverpool was a FA Cup 3-0 in 1912, we didn’t face them again until another FA Cup game in 1926 which we won 3-1. To date we’ve played them 79 times, winning 14, loosing 45 and drawing 20.
Our record for the previous 8 games against Liverpool, another team we tend to give a “good game” to however we don’t tend to get the results we deserve, including cup games is so so with only 1 win, 4 losses and 2 draws.

Hopefully Tete was only taken off as a precaution, Josh King will be available for this game and also Ryan will make a welcome return? if theres anything in the “rumour” about Adama leaving is true I don’t think he’ll get any game time.

My team to face Liverpool would be…

squad to face Liverpool

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 03/01
Brighton v Burnley
Wolves v West Ham

Sunday 04/01
Leeds v Man Utd
Fulham v Liverpool

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36

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Games for mid-week 30/12

We make the short trip to South London to take on Palace at Selhurst Park for an 5:30 kick off

Palace v Fulham

The win at West Ham was our 3rd in a row, the last time we won three “top-flight” matches on the bounce was January 2023.
It is worth noting that we have now won six of the last nine and the win against West Ham took us up to 10th in the league.
Also its worth noting is that Raúl has scored in the last two games, both 1-0, incidentally Harry Wilson had a couple of assitsts.

Over the years we’ve not played Palace that often, going back to 1907 we’ve only played them 55 times, 19 wins, 19 losses and 17 draws.
Our record, for the previous 8 games, is so so with 2 wins, 3 losses, including 2 cup games, and 3 draws.

Palace are one place above us, on goal difference, however they’ve lost 4 of the last six games, including the previous 3, Spurs, Leeds, Man City, Man Utd, 3 home games, and won 2 games, against us and Burnley both away games.

My team would be the same as West Ham away…

team to face Palace

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Tuesday 30/12
Burnley v Newcastle
Forest v Everton
West Ham v Brighton

Wednesday 01/01
Liverpool v Leeds
Brentford v Spurs
Sunderland v Man City

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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Games for the weekend 27/12…

We travel acroos town to the London Stadium to take on West Ham for a 3 o’clock kick off

West Ham v Fulham

After a hard fought win against Forest on Monday hopefully the lads won’t have “over indulged” and will be raring to go.
Raúl scoring from a pen’, I didn’t realise that he’s never missed a Premier League penalty, 11 from 11 matching Yaya Toure’s record, this was the first penalty for Fulham this season and only the second this calendar year!
Anderson’s finger looked nasty and Harry looked to have twisted his knee shortly before Adama replaced him.
Young Kusi-Asare came on in the 85th minute and, I think, looked lively and caused Forest a few problems. Surely he must get more game time over the coming weeks?
Kevin had a really good game, it can’t be long before he gets his first goal? and hopefully more will follow.

Historically we’ve not had too good a record against West Ham starting in 1898 when we were in the Southern League Second division when we lost 2-1 and 0-1. To date we’ve had 34 wins, 52 losses and 25 draws.
We lost our only FA Cup final 0-2 in 1975 to them even though we had Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery, Fulham were in the Second Division (now the Championship), whilst West Ham were in the First Division (now the Premier League).
Interestingly the West Ham team were the last “all English” team to win the FA Cup, Fulham hold the record for the most games played to reach the final.
Our record, for the previous 6 games, is reasonable with 2 wins, 3 losses and a draw.

I’d start the same 11 that started against Forest, so my team would be…

squad to face West Ham

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 27/12
Brentford v Bournemouth
Forest v Man City
West Ham v Fulham

Sunday 28/12
Sunderland v Leeds
Palace v Spurs

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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League Cup Quarter-Final – 17/12

We get to travel to Newcastle’s ground for an 8:15 o’clock kick off

Newcastle v Fulham League Cup

With Bassey, Chukwueze and Iwobi off to Afcon, should Nigeria get to the final they would miss eight games, until January 18th, starting with this League Cup game against Newcastle.

Newcastle, the current cup holders, have played both of their League Cup games at St James’ Park this season, Bradford City 4-1 and Spurs 2-0.

Marco aims to go even further in this years competition, should we get past Newcastle we will be in our second League Cup semi-final in three years, a trip to Wembley is the aim!

Our record against Newcastle, for the previous 8 games, is so so with 5 losses and 2 wins, however we managed to do the “double” over them last season but lost 2-1 this October.
Of our 26 games, at St James’ Park, going back to the 1950’s, we’ve won 7 times, 02/25, 03/17, 05/08, 09/06, 11/04, 09/51 & 11/50 and we’ve had 8 draws.

This game will be decided on penalties if the score is level after 90 minutes.

My squad would be…

squad to face Newcastle

COYW’s

Other Cup games…
Arsenal v Palace
Man City v Brentford
Cardiff v Chelsea

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36

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Games for the weekend 13/12…

We get to play the last of the promoted teams, Burnley at Turf Moor with a 5:30 o’clock kick off

Burnley v Fulham

What is it with playing Palace at the Cottage? they’re becoming quite a “bogey team”.
Harry Wilson scored what could well be the goal of the season, at least until his next one!
ESR was unlucky to have his goal chalked off for Chukwueze? having a big toe off-side, I wish the off-side rule could be changed back to clear daylight, when technology needs to be used to find such small margins it really sucks the fun out of the game.

Well we get to face another “bogey team” in the form of Burnley, managed by Scott Parker

Over on the forum our very own “stats man” Ludlow Richard posted the following…

I know I’m jumping ahead but I was prompted to post by Burnley’s result yesterday. 
On the one hand we have not won at Turf Moor in league or any cup since 21 April 1951.

That amounts to comfortably over 27000 days (if anyone is counting) since our last win there. In that time we have lost 25 times at Turf Moor, drawn 7 times and won none. Trying to be positive we are currently on an unbeaten run of two at Turf Moor (two draws).

On the other hand, yesterday saw their sixth league defeat in a row, three at home and three away, scoring just 4 goals and conceding 13 in that run.

So looking at Burnley’s current form, surely we must break this horrendous run. Or will we contrive to find some  way of not winning there once more……. 

Ludlow Richard

Turf Moor has not been a “happy hunting ground” for us over the years, our record, for the previous 8 games, home and away, going back to 2016, is not good with only 1 win, 5 losses and 1 draw.
Although we’ve not won at Turf Moor since 1951, there has never been a better time for that statistic to change!

Assuming Sess’ is available my team would be…

squad to face Burnley

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 13/12
Brentford v Leeds
Burnley v Fulham

Sunday 14/12
Palace v Man City
Sunderland v Newcastle
Brentford v Leeds

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

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Games for the weekend 06/12…

We welcome Crystal Palace to the Cottage for a 3 o’clock kick off

Fulham v Palace

What a game against City, “a glorious defeat” if only we’d have got the 5th it would have been one of the all time comebacks!
Smith Rowe started the game and had his best game in a Fulham shirt, he scored a great header and his all round play was first class.
Alex Iwobi’s goal stated the fight back, at 5-1 down 99.9% of us surely thought it all over, Alex changed that.
Then Chukwueze coming on changed the game 2 goals in 6 minutes really had us all believing.
Josh had a shot cleared off the line and Kusi-Asare could/should have had a penalty?, but it wasn’t to be, however the spirit the team showed should not be underestimated.

Palace are having a really good season, currently sitting 5th, with 6 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws. Away games they’ve won 3, lost 3 and drawn 3.
Last season we played Palace 3 times, 2 in the league and the FA Cup. Palace were better away than at home, we beat them at Selhurst and lost both at home.

Our record against Palace, for the previous 8 games, is quite even with 2 wins, 2 losses and 4 draws.

My team would be…

squad to face Crystal Palace

COYW’s

Games of Interest

Saturday 06/12
Bournemouth v Chelsea
Everton v Forest
Newcastle v Burnley
Leeds v Liverpool

Sunday 02/11
Fulham v Palace

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation…
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0