Revitalised Fulham fighting valiantly for EPL survival
Currently sitting just outside the relegation zone, but level on points with Brighton, Fulham’s much improved form has ensured they’re in with a real shot of avoiding relegation.
Currently sitting just outside the relegation zone, but level on points with Brighton, Fulham’s much improved form has ensured they’re in with a real shot of avoiding relegation.
Making a terrible start to life back in the Premier League by losing eight of their first 11 games, Scott Parker’s team have steadily gotten better over the last couple of months to put themselves back into the picture for safety. Having lost two of their last 10 Premier League matches, their uptick in results has been fantastic to see, as the team has also been playing some quality football.
Recording impressive wins over Liverpool and Everton in this period has demonstrated what a force to be reckoned with they’ve become.
Having a manager in Parker that’s given them focus, a clear playing style and remained positive has clearly helped them too. “Never am I looking at a league table and that will be my stance through to the end of the season,” Parker said.
“We got to this point we are now by concentrating on us and what we need to do. Our sole focus is us. The energy you lose from worrying about the what-ifs is really negative and it can sink you. We are now getting into the last run of games where everyone remembers – this is the moment.
“The journey this season has been nothing short of brilliant for me, because I have seen the team develop and the players grow, but in this moment now, this is where it is. We have got momentum and are in a very good place. We have been through a bumpy road, but have come out.”
While they’re coming on in leaps and bounds, the issue has been that they’ve struggled to turn their good play into wins, with them drawing far too many matches. Indeed, the fact Fulham have drawn more games than any other team in the Premier League (11) evidences this aptly.
While they’ve passed up many chances, their defending has eye catchingly improved, with them only conceding 12 goals in their last 17 matches. This has unquestionably been an integral component towards their success, with the likes of Joachim Andersen, Tosin Adarabioyo and Alphonse Areola in goal forming a formidable base.
Boasting immense quality in midfield, with players such as Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Harrison Reed, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mario Lemina and Tom Cairney has given them depth and differing options depending on the opposition.
Possessing plenty of firepower going forward, with Ademola Lookman, Ivan Cavaleiro, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Josh Maja among their options, they’ve proved their worth admirably.
How they’re so tactically flexible and can operate in many various systems is a testament to Parker’s ability to instill his demands onto his players.
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While it won’t be easy for them to stay up, especially considering they still have to play some quality teams in the form of Manchester City, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, they’ve proven they can hold their own against any team.
Priced at 2.80 to get relegated, which is a decent bet to consider, Fulham are understandably one of the favourites to suffer the drop. But with 10 games left to play still and their form heading in an upward trajectory, Fulham will back themselves to stay in the division.
Only time will tell if they, in fact, can, in what looms as an enthralling end to the season.
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