If you’re anything like me, you are still seething at Fulham’s meek capitulation in the derby on Monday night. All the qualities you associate with the Whites under Marco Silva – energy, intensity and invention – were missing and a side who had scored a league goal for 82 days strolled to victory with two in the space of sixty seconds. We don’t expect to win London derbies as Fulham fans (you couldn’t with our abject record, even since Carlos Vinicius’ January header) but the minimum requirement should be some desire.
Silva certainly got his tactics wrong – and the limitations of this Fulham side, far weaker than the one that made light of our predicted battle against the drop last season, were laid bare in front of the watching world and Shahid Khan. Quite what the chairman would have made of the entertainment is open to question. I assume he didn’t have to pay more than £100 for the privilege of watching that dire display, but a man who has lost millions in the decade that he has owned London’s oldest professional football club wouldn’t have been best pleased either.
Losing Aleksandar Mitrovic before the end of the transfer deadline was always going to have an impact but the decision not to sign a striker in response seems staggeringly stupid. I don’t describe Raul Jimenez as broken, finished or washed – the terms banded around on social media after his thirtieth top-flight game in a row without a goal – but it is becoming doubtful whether the Mexican, Carlos Vinicius and Rodrigo Muniz will match our former number nine’s fifteen goal return from last term between them. More concerning is that the fact that the Whites don’t look like creating a chance. Tom Cairney’s ingenuity fashioned an opening for Sasa Lukic, but five goals in seven games should worry even the most optimistic Fulham follower.
Sheffield United, aiming for a third successive win over Fulham for the first time in a quarter of a century, might well be looking forward to their trip to the Cottage. That might sound strange seeing as Paul Heckingbottom’s side have yet to win this season and prop up the Premier League table with a single point, but they are well organised and have already responded well to their eight-goal thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United a fortnight ago. The Blades were unfortunate to lose from a winning position to two stoppage-time Spurs goals in September – and it would be in keeping with this underwhelming season if they got a first win in SW6 this afternoon, wouldn’t it?
Silva has some selection puzzlers to ponder over. Kenny Tete’s groin injury seems more serious than everyone first thought, whilst Adama Traore and Tosin Adarabioyo will also spend longer on the sidelines. There was no mention during the Fulham head coach’s press conference of the hernia problem that meant Antonee Robinson was omitted from this week’s United States squad. The left-back has played constant football since Silva has been in situ but playing through the pain of injury damaged Mitrovic before the World Cup and Robinson’s rampaging runs from left back are badly needed. It will interesting to see if he features today, although I was impressed with Fodé Ballo-Touré against Norwich City.
The Portuguese head coach is rightfully lauded as a genius for his achievements since replacing Scott Parker, who has been seen this week sniffing around the Rangers job, but he has seemed welded to his 4-2-3-1 system. Both the personnel and set-up were off on Monday affording Chelsea’s midfielders all the space they wanted for a leisurely stroll in midfield. Joao Palhinha and, particularly Harrison Reed, where unable to give a badly exposed central defensive partnership the protection they needed, but Fulham were feeble going forward as well. A change in shape might be a bit too much to hope for, but the likes of Alex Iwobi and Tom Cairney could definitely supply some guile to the grit of a predictable midfield.
Can we blunt the Blades and rediscover something close to a scoring touch? I do hope Ollie Norwood gets a decent ovation on his return to the Cottage. We’ll find it out in a few hours.
In the meantime, here’s your stat attack ahead of this afternoon’s clash at the Cottage:
- Sheffield United did the double over Fulham in 2021/22 and could secure their third win in a row over the Whites for the first time since 1988.
- The Blades’ last top tier triumph at Craven Cottage came in March 1968.
- Fulham’s previous two Premier League home fixtures against United finished in 1-0 wins (secured by Jimmy Bullard in 2006 and Ademola Lookman in 2020).
- But the Whites haven’t won in the league at home this season and have lost six
- They have lost six of their past 12 Premier League home games (W4, D2).
- Marco Silva’s side have scored just five goals in their seven league fixtures this term,
- Raul Jimenez has gone 30 Premier League appearances without a goal.
- Sheffield United have lost six of their seven league matches this season, and are yet to win in any competition.
- The Blades have lost all three of their away games.
- Paul Heckingbottom’s team have conceded seven headed goals and nine goals from crosses in the Premier League this season, both more than any other side.
- Benie Traore scored 12 goals in 14 league appearances for BK Hacken in 2023 but has yet to find the net for Sheffield United.
Memorable wins against Sheffield United have been in short supply at the Cottage in recent years. The Blades have a really good record at Fulham – having stunned Silva’s side in our promotion season with an incredible individual strike from Ilman Ndiaye. Rene Meulensteen probably wants to forget the Blades’ FA Cup triumph in 2014 as well – but those of us who suffered through that horror-show can’t.
A rare home win – and goal – under Parker clinched a crucial six-pointer two years ago. Ademola Lookman, now enjoying an excellent start to the Serie A season with Atalanta, got the winner:
The now non-sulking Serbian scored twice in 2018 before Cairney clinched a comfortable win for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side in the middle of our 23-match unbeaten run:
A brilliant free-kick from Jimmy Bullard beat Neil Warnock’s side back in 2006 – just before the shaggy-haired midfielder was crocked by Parker at St. James’ Park.
On this day in Fulham history:
In 1961, right back Barry Mealand made his debut as Fulham beat Aston Villa 3-1 at home thanks to goals from Graham Leggat, Maurice Cook and Dave Metchick.
In 1972, Alec Stock’s Whites beat Villa 2-0 with Alan Mullery and John Mitchell grabbing the goals either side of half time.
In 1978, Bobby Campbell’s boys beat Stoke City 2-0 at the Cottage. Brian Greenaway and Tony Gale were on the scoresheet.
In 1985, Fulham progressed to the third round of the League Cup after beating Notts County 4-2 at home. Gary Barnett, John Marshall, Martin Pike and Dean Coney set up a local derby with Chelsea as Ray Harford’s side went through 5-2 on aggregate.
In 2007, Lawrie Sanchez’s side were easily beaten by Portsmouth at Craven Cottage in a sign of things to come.
In 1986, Fulham – having already been thrashed 10-0 in the first leg – lost 3-2 to Liverpool at Craven Cottage in the League Cup second round. Peter Scott and Dean Coney got the goals for Ray Lewington’s side.
In 2012, a late, late header from Jose Fonte denied Martin Jol’s Fulham a point at Southampton.
In 2018, Arsenal put five past Fulham on a day Slavisa Jokanovic probably wants to wipe from his memory.
If you want some pre-match reading, you could try:
- Our preview of this afternoon’s action.
- Dan’s moving tribute to Maddy Cusack.
- The latest injury updates
- Why the Whites won’t find it easy to beat the Blades, according to Marco Silva
- How Fulham’s under-21s beat Leicester in the Premier League Cup last night
If you are after something to listen to on your way to Craven Cottage, press play on our latest Green Pole episode where Dan, Alan and Freddie discuss how we might add more of a goal threat.
Don’t forget to leave your predictions in the comments and join the discussion before and during the game. We’ll be back with more coverage from the Cottage following the final whistle.
Fulham 1-0
Nobody wants to get on Jiminezs back. I’m guessing he’ll start again but 30 games without a goal. I hope it happens today but even if it does he’s not suddenly going to become prolific. I think today will be his last chance.
Personally I’d sacrifice Pereira. I think we need more. He seems to be running at 80%. I’d play Iwobi there. I’d also for this one lose HR. We’ll have the ball. We don’t need 2 defensive midfielders. Play Cairney instead and make sure Palhinia just protects the back 4.
We’re not going to be up there this season. We have to go for 3 points today and take a risk. We wont win many others I’m afraid until the idiot that signed off Mitro leaving without a replacement understands that in the Premier League you might need to play with someone that can score goals and buys a striker in Jan. We needed another striker before Mitro left. Crazy.
This is obviously a must win game. On paper we have much better players, but that counts to little when you are under pressure to get a result. I think we need two players up front, Jimenez must be supported, otherwise we ll have to wait until next season before we can find the net. I would go for an old fashioned 4,4,2 with Palhinha just behind Pereira, leaving the left to Willian and Iwobi on the right. At the back Bassey needs to start bedding in, otherwise it would be useless buy. Ream has been not playing well at all, his lack of pace has become ridiculous at this level. Lets hope we get a result, even if we play horrible football, we reallt need the e points today.
3 points, good dominant performance. A happy Saturday