After the slowest silly season in recent memory, Fulham face a tricky opening day test on the south coast at Brighton and Hove Albion – and it is hard to shake the feeling that the Whites are far from ready. Marco Silva has already vocally his disappointment at scant close season signings and could face a difficult decision at left back with Antonee Robinson not ready to return after knee surgery and Ryan Sessegnon a doubt despite training since he limped out of last Saturday’s friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Seagulls have spent heavily on young talent in an attempt to build on the momentum of Fabian Hurzeler’s first season at the AMEX. Albion might have been disappointed to miss out on Europe despite losing only nine top flight fixtures, but they moved quickly to snap up some of the continent’s most promising defenders. Hurzeler has hailed the integration of new left back Maxim De Cuyper, a smart signing from Club Brugge, and also added centre back Oliver Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven. Brighton can still count on the class of Karou Mitoma and the Bakoteh-born Yankuba Minteh as well as the willing running of former Leeds forward Georginio Rutter, even if Joao Pedro has departed for pastures new. Greek teenagers Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas have arrived during the close-season, whilst the dependable Danny Welbeck keeps on going.
The hosts will be without Solly March, Adam Webster and Julio Enciso through knee injuries. Hurzeler professed himself relaxed about the prospect of losing Carlos Baleba before Manchester United pulled the plug on their pursuit of the midfielder. The Cameroon international has been passed fit to play after shaking off a knee complaint, whilst the impressive Jack Hinshelwood is also a doubt. Albion went unbeaten in a perfect pre-season, winning seven and drawing one of their eight pre-season friendlies, and it feels as if the key will be how successful Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic are in disrupting the home side’s midfield, with Yasin Ayari and Diego Gomez raring to go should Baleba be left out. It would be a surprise if former Fulham midfielder Matt O’Riley featured, with the Danish international reportedly close to a move to Juventus.
Fulham have lost just one of their last ten fixtures against Brighton, but that was a devastating last-gasp defeat at the AMEX last season when Pedro won a debatable penalty in the dying seconds. Sam Barrott, the referee who penalised Harrison Reed for looking to clear the ball then, will be in charge this afternoon – but the Whites will likely approach this test with the same gameplan. Kenny Tete should start at right back after committing his future to the Cottagers, but the fascinating part of Silva’s starting line up will be in the final third.
The Portuguese head coach insisted Rodrigo Muniz is in contention to play despite the Brazilian’s preference to join Serie A side Atalanta. The 24 year-old has travelled to the south coast, but Raul Jimenez – who opened the scoring with a stunning strike in March – is likely to lead the line. Harry Wilson enjoyed a superb summer full of goals, whilst teenager Josh King has impressed us all with the maturity of his outings in the number ten. Emile Smith Rowe has started from the left this summer, but that would leave Alex Iwobi out of contention. Whatever the personnel, the Whites will need to be alert from the first whistle.
Fulham’s 3,000 travelling supporters undoubtedly make their support for Silva clear this afternoon as the head coach implores the board to bring in the players he needs to push on. The away fans should also be aware that Brighton’s fans are planning a 57th minute round of applause in memory of last season’s fan of the year, Keith Todd, an Albion activist and legend for more than forty years, who faced his terminal cancer diagnosis with such warmth, dignity and determination. We should all stand and salute Toddy’s terrific example – regardless of the team we support.
MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, R. Sessegnon, Andersen, Bassey; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, Iwobi, King; Jimenez. Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, Pereira, Smith Rowe, Traore, Muniz.
Albion fan here. What a great write up. So much crap out there to generate clicks it’s hard finding the good stuff from actual fans who know what they’re talking about. Cannot wait for today. Hoping that game last season broke the curse we had against you but I’ll still be very nervous and don’t expect anything but a tight game of fine margins. Wish you luck for the season. Just not today
Appreciate that Krizz. Always enjoyed going to the Albion – even if my first visits were to the Goldstone Ground with both clubs really struggling. Looking forward to a good game this afternoon!
A great summary, and it ends on such a nice note encouraging football fans, regardless of their team, to honour a dedicated fan. We need more of this sentiment.
@Dan there’s no doubt that was a dark time in a period that was otherwise so hopeful. I remember the struggles we were going through had a backdrop of the height of Britpop and everything rubbish in football felt at odds with this sense of the world opening up (probably just as much to do with me getting older to be fair). As much as I wouldn’t swap the European challenging Albion of today for the one fighting for its life in 97, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still miss a lot about those days. Though I also still remember being so jealous when Al Fayed came along and you started rocketing up the league. That Jean Tigana period with Louis Saha really hammered home for far apart we were from you by that point. Though things did get better and we can thank you for Micky Adams at least!