It seems an age since Fulham last played, but a quick glimpse at the Premier League table gives an instant reminder of just what dire straits the club is in.
Our first season back in the Premier League, after a several season hiatus in the Championship, has, to put it mildly, far from gone to plan, instead, Fulham are looking at a quick return to the Championship after just one season in the top-flight.
Now we can all hope for a miracle and hope that Claudio Ranieri can steer us to safety but, here at Vital Fulham, we’re realistic enough to acknowledge that with a plethora of tough home games to come, the immediate future does look bleak.
This Friday evening, Fulham make the relatively short trip to the London Stadium, to take on West Ham United in a fixture that will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.
On paper, it is, considering the previously mentioned tough run of home games, a fixture we need to win, otherwise you get the feeling it’ll be another nail hammered into our relegation coffin.
But it isn’t that simple is it?
West Ham are the type of side that can blow hot and cold, but Fulham will arrive in East London not having won an away game in the Premier League all season, the best they’ve achieved are two draws.
Keeping clean-sheets has also been something we’ve been unable to do, despite Ranieri rotating his defensive options, it has to be said whatever defence we play, whether it be a back-four or a back-three, looks likely to concede goals, the defence really has been our Achilles heel.
Therefore, if we have to win away to West Ham United what pointers should be look for?
Here at Vital Fulham, we’ve identified three.
Firstly, chances might be at a premium on Friday night, so we have to hope that when one falls our way it falls to Aleksandar Mitrovic and we have to hope our top-scorer is in lethal form. We may only get two chances all night, if that’s the case then we have to make them count, even more so with our defence likely to concede.
Secondly, Ranieri has to start with Ryan Sessegnon, the teenager has a knack of being involved in goals, either via an assist or scoring himself. It’s criminal how Ranieri chooses to not start with a player who is adept both offensively and defensively.
Thirdly, Tom Cairney has to start in his preferred position, in the centre of the midfield, it’s no use playing him out on the right, he needs to be centrally involved to thread those crucial balls through that may give our forwards those rare chances to score.
Now I’m not saying implementing the above will guarantee us a win but I’d certainly fee more optimistic about that being the outcome of the game if Ranieri were to indulge me!
COYW’s
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Ranieri Looks For Some Positive Points On Another Depressing Day For Fulham