Welcome to your second installment of pre-season fun following Fulham in Portugal. If you missed part one, where have you been?

Day two of Fulham’s European tour began with reviewing the Whites’ victory over Forest the night before — slightly more challenging when you factor a sore head, that’s all I’ll say…

My headache was helped by a marinara pizza down in Albu-Fulham square. I’d like to state for the record it absolutely wasn’t a margarita with no cheese. Do not slander me, fellas. Fulham flags were on the balcony — classy as always. It isn’t as if the flattening of Forest and a sensational night out hadn’t spread the word, but the St. George x FFC double, left the locals in no doubt that Whites were in town. game and subsequent night out left any doubt, the St George–Fulham FC combo let the Portuguese know Fulham were in town.

Some members of the party started drinking over breakfast — I won’t name names — but myself? Sober as a judge, officer. The surroundings of sun, sea, and sand are somewhat different from your regular FFC away day. It’s definitely a far cry from the dreary, dark dinge of Deepdale last year. The setting may change but the mission never does: following Fulham over land and sea, this time supplied by the superstars at Super Bock and Sagres.

The fury about Fulham’s failure to tell us about a behind-closed doors friendly hasn’t abated. The faithful pondered the plan of action for Wednesday over pints of water and smoke-free Malboro darts. I don’t know anything about scaling a tree with beer crates, sir. I do have to thank our club’s corporate offers. This is exactly why I’ve spent money all my money on. I’m not sure they have to do this in the Riverside, do they?

There may not have been any football on day two, but tactics and pre-match preparations were in full flow ahead of our 11pm kick off in Albufeira. How could we make the most of what has quickly become the Ablu-Fulham strip? Our line-up looked like Temple Bar, Vegas Bar, Meet Bar and YOLO Lounge. It’s hardly Marco Silva’s tried and tested back four of King Kenny Tete, the jovial ‘Joa’ Andersen, cool Calvin Bassey and American Antonee Robinson, is it?

A five-minute break between shots soon seemed a shocking tactical move. When we touched down in Old Town, the lads looked as bedraggled the feckless Fulham footballers who suffered through Felix Magath’s Motspur Park madness in 2014, but, hey, it got the job done, right? This was the drinking equivalent of Bobby De Cordova-Reid – always dependable whatever situation you’re in. I’m sure the Portuguese went potty for our songs serenading everyone from Silva to money Muniz as well as the much-missed Dickson Etuhu and Andy Johnson!

I can’t divulge any more for now. You’ll know what some of what goes on tour has to stay on tour. But I’ll be back with more insights from our quiet nights following Fulham on the Algarve very soon. Till next time … you Whites!

CJ has kindly agreed to give us the insight track having travelled out to Portugal for Fulham’s pre-season tour. Do check out his London’s Original output on Medium and subscribe to his YouTube channel.