Game day 3. Fulham at home.

When the fixture list was announced, it was important we got off to a winning start following our favourable scheduling.

Nottingham Forest (home), Crystal Palace (away) and Fulham (home) looked like a comfortable start to the season. And with 6 points our of 6, we have done what we have needed to do without coming needing to come out of 3rd gear.

I always feel the team that wins the league is not who comes flying out the blocks quickest, but the side that gets through the opening half a dozen fixtures expending the least amount of energy whilst gaining maximum points.

In recent years, we have seen Manchester City have “slow” starts to the season where they do just enough to get through games. Then in the second half of the season they go up and gear before peaking for the run in.

Last season we flew out the blocks, and we needed to do it. But the consequence was when it came down to the business end of the season, we ran out of steam.

This season it certainly feels like we are holding a bit more back. Ensuring we are getting through games without needing to go 100%. And a home fixture against Fulham should see us go 9 out of 9.

Fulham had an exceptional season last year, driven by a 10-games spell from the end of the World Cup to end of February where only Manchester City, Man U and Arsenal got more points. But they finished the season poorly.

From the beginning of March to the end of the season, they fell away and were one of the worst teams in the league – only the 3 relegated sides alongside Chelsea and Nottingham Forest gained more less points from the last 13 games of the season.

I think this season they will struggle (although will stay up).

Losing Aleksandar Mitrovic is a huge blow after he finally learned how to score goals in the Premier League. Recruiting the past-his-best Raul Jimenez is a huge step down – the Mexican has not been the same since suffering a head injury against Arsenal.

Teams will not time them as lightly as last season, which will see midfield pairing Andreas Pereira and João Palhinha get less time on the ball.

They started this season with a ropey 1-nil win over Everton (who I think will go down), and that was followed up by a 3-nil defeat at home to Brentford.

That Brentford game was an interesting watch as it felt like Fulham were in control for much of the game. They were hampered by going down to 10-men after 64 minutes, and Brentfod’s second goal was from the penalty spot. Their 3rd was in injury time.

We have only dropped points once since 2012 against Fulham – a 1-1 draw during Covid in April 2021.

That team consisted of Matt Ryan in goal, with Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Granit Xhaka in defence alongside Gabriel. The midfield 5 was Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Mo Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. Alex Lacazette was upfront.

It shows how far we have come in a little more than 2 years that you would expect just 3 of those to start.

Win the game, then it is onto Manchester United at home (3 home games in the first 4 of the season?), then we are into the international break.

If we can get into that break with 4 wins from 4, fears that last season might have been a fluke should be diminished.

Enjoy the game today.

UTA

Keenos