What a difference a point makes. Marco Silva was adamant that his Fulham side would deliver a much-improved display at Arsenal after their meek capitulation to Brentford and the Whites certainly did so: their outstanding effort at the Emirates was rewarded with a share of the spoils after Joao Palhinha popped up with a fabulous finish three minutes from. The precious point was all the more remarkable given that the Whites had been reduced to ten men and had to recover from the psychological of conceding twice in two minutes having led for more than hour. An unexpected draw buoyed the spirits of everybody – and Silva himself sounded positively buoyant in yesterday’s press conference as he hailed the imminent arrival of Timothy Castagne.
The dominoes are now dropping into place for Fulham’s frenzied finish to the transfer window. Castagne had his medical at Motspur Park yesterday ahead of a permanent move from Leicester City, whilst Steven Benda was also at the training ground yesterday, moving closer to a switch from Swansea City. Silva has demanded at least five further signings before Friday evening – and they might be a little easier to pull off after his side’s excellence against last season’s runners-up. The fixtures come thick and fast at the moment and before the Whites can contemplate the challenge of travelling to Manchester City on Saturday, they have to negotiate a stern test in the League Cup tonight with Tottenham, revitalised under Ange Postecoglou, heading to Craven Cottage.
Another intriguing London derby is difficult to call, especially as both sides will make a host of changes with the league campaign in mind. Postecoglou, who has quickly brought the adventurous football that made Celtic unstoppable in his only season in Scotland to Spurs, was clear about his intentions in an engaging pre-match press conference: declaring ‘I love winning’. He has yet to taste defeat since taking over from Antonio Conte and, whilst ringing the changes with the league campaign in mind, will still be able to field a very strong eleven. There’s every chance that Manor Solomon, who lit up Craven Cottage with five goals in five games at the turn of the year, will line up for his new employers this evening. Postecoglou has also confirmed that Giovanni Lo Celsi will feature whilst the likes of Fraser Forster, Emerson Royal and Ivan Perisic could come into the starting line-up, but former Fulham favourite Ryan Sessegnon is sidelined having had surgery to repair a hamstring problem picked up in pre-season.
Silva spoke yesterday about the need to rotate his squad, which is the oldest in the top flight, as well as one of the smallest. He will have to do without Calvin Bassey following his harsh sending off at the Emirates and the head coach himself is suspended, having picked up three yellow cards for remonstrating with the officials in each of Fulham’s opening three fixtures. The Whites will also be without Willian, who is still recovering from the calf complaint that has hindered the Brazilian’s start to the new campaign. Tim Ream is available having sat out the visit to the red half of north London following his own controversial dismissal against Brentford and he could partner Tosin Adrabioyo, who made a surprise appearance in the dying embers of that pulsating encounter at the Emirates, in central defence.
It will be interesting to see just how strong Silva opts to go with the trip to the Etihad on the horizon. The likes of Kevin Mbabu and one-time Tottenham centre forward Carlos Vinicius are due some minutes, whilst this could be a good opportunity to give Luke Harris, who was on the bench at the weekend, his first taste of senior action this season. Adama Traore looked lively as a substitute at Arsenal – and might even have pinched all three points with his blistering pace in stoppage time – and the Spanish winger would benefit from a start this evening as he seeks match sharpness.
Fulham’s record in the League Cup is pitiful – with last season’s desperate defeat at the hands of League Two Crawley Town still fresh in the memory – and you have to go back a decade to find the last time the Whites triumphed against top flight opposition in this competition. Silva does like his sides to spring a surprise – and meeting with an in-form Spurs side under the Cottage lights also offers an opportunity for someone to stake a claim on a starting spot before those rumoured new arrivals can press their own claims.
MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Mbabu, Parkes, Tosin, Ream; Reed, Cairney; Traore, Decordova-Reid, Harris, Vinicius. Subs: Wickens, de Fougerolles, Palhinha, Pajaziti, Godo, Pereira, O’Neill, Wilson, Muniz.
