So which Fulham will turn up against Arsenal at Saturday? If it’s the same passionless side that was so devoid of ideas at Wolves last weekend, it could be a very painful evening indeed.
Arsenal have looked truly frightening at times this season. The clinical manner in which they disposed of Everton on the opening day hinted that Arsene Wenger’s latest blend of youth and creativity could have another exceptional season in them. The way Arsenal dominated at Old Trafford for an hour until a senseless dash off his line from Manuel Almunia tilted the balance of an intriguing tie United’s way was rather lost in all the discussion of diving and United’s title challenge.
The Gunners still a little vulnerable at the back to be considered as title winners – and there’s not a Fulham fan who isn’t grateful that they didn’t plug that hole in their defence with Brede Hangeland, even if the Norwgian has had something of a shaky start to this season. On paper and taking into account our early season form, Fulham should be fairly lengthy outsiders in this two-horse race. But, foolishly, I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days that we had a similarly unspiring start to the season when we faced Arsenal early last season and scrapped our way to a 1-0 win.
Wenger will be wise to our gameplan as many sides seem to be this season. Etuhu and Murphy will have to impose themselves on a game like they yet to so far this campaign. There have been flashes. Murphy’s played a clever pass here and therefore but flitted in and out of games to date rather than controlling them and Etuhu’s combative challenge on Phil Neville seemed to symbolise the shifting momentum in our win over Everton. His rasping drive at Wolves hinted at a comeback that rather fizzled out in the end, but rest assured that these two will have to be on their game if we are to take anything from Arsenal.
There will be some discussion about the final composition of our midfield too. Simon Davies completed 70 minutes at Eastlands in midweek and must be close to pushing his way back into the starting line-up. The man most likely to make way would be Clint Dempsey, who already looks jaded after a tough year. It might be harsh on the American but his performance at Wolves was the most anonymous of all of his efforts in a Fulham shirt. Roy loathes making wholesale changes so I suspect Clint will get another go.
Up front, it will probably continue to be the Zamora and Johnson show. Zamora had a storming game against Arsenal in this fixture last year – perhaps his best performance in a Fulham shirt today – and we can hope that his physicality might unsettle the Gunners defence and create a bit of space in which Johnson might just be clinical.
It’s a tough ask but we need to pick up points to avoid that horrid feeling of having to keep look over our shoulder. Roy put it best the other week when he spoke of not wanting to give the supporters ‘a heart attack’. Hopefully, we can have a few more memorable afternoons against the ‘bigger’ teams too.
MY FULHAM XI (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Duff; Zamora, A. Johnson. Subs: Stockdale, Smalling, Baird, Dempsey, Gera, Nevland, Kamara.
Dan there are a few things about this one.
Duff needs to be playing on the Left. Swapping between RM and LM is fine but he is a left sided player and in attack and defence he is better of playing there.
Theat could mean Davies comes in to give Dempsey a well deserved rest.
Kamara is also one who possibly deserves a chance for a bit more than the last 10 minutes.
Gentleman Jim’s summary at the end of Thursday would suggest that the bench is where other changes could be seen with Dikgacoi and Elm being options.
The other factor, the one that cannot be explained is ‘ Fulhamish’ over the (many) years the thing that smacks you in the face when despite some non descript displays in the last week or so coming up against probably the best pure football team in the league we get a result.
Like others I will go expecting a sound footballing lesson with the faint hope that we pull off a fine display and get all three points.
Alan – Your last point is exactly what I was alluding to when referring to our win over the Arsenal last year. That performance seemed to come from nowhere, although in reality it was probably the product of some hard work down at Motspur Park.
On Duff, I’m actually growing to like this idea of him cutting in from the ‘opposite’ flank as it were but it would probably work better with Dempsey as opposed to Davies, who did a job for us on the left in the closing weeks of the Great Escape season but is more suited to playing on the right.
I think Kamara’s going to be a perennial substitute really. Roy mentioned something a while back about having tried to play him in midfield but that his best position was as a striker. While you could see his pace being a real asset down the left flank, I couldn’t see him tracking back and doing the work demanded of a left midfielder in the system we play currently. Like Nevland, he’s probably best coming on against tired defences. I’d certainly be happy with him being given 10 minutes on Saturday if we were 1-0 up again!
On Duff I see no problem with mixing it up during the game but he should predominantly be on the left IMO.
One other factor, not to be found anywhere else, is my Dad is taking my nephew as is aide in the disabled supporers section. My Nephew is an Arsenal fan (he does go on other occasions to assiat my Dad). His previous two visits to see Arsenal at Fulahm were last season and the game when Radz scored at the Putney end.
That might well be a very good omen then Alan!
Remember that other win over Arsenal very fondly. Thought we played really well that night and caught them cold with such a flying start.