Fulham have made the worst start to a Premier League season in their history, remaining winless after five games. The club sits 19th in the table with only two points, raising immediate concerns about their survival prospects under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa, who was appointed in the summer, described the opening weeks as disastrous. "It has been a truly disastrous start to the campaign for the Cottagers, who remain winless with pressure already being piled on new boss Alvaro Arbeloa," he said.
Squad struggles under new style
The team's recent form reads DWDLL, with their only victory in the last five coming against West Ham. That 3-2 win on September 15 was followed by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United before the international break. Despite those results, the underlying performances have been a cause for alarm. Observers note the existing squad appears unable or unwilling to adapt fully to Arbeloa's tactical demands, leading to disorganisation at both ends of the pitch.
Fulham are conceding what have been described as terrible goals while looking panicked in attack. They have scored five times but conceded eight, leaving them with a negative goal difference of three. The club backed their new manager with several signings from Real Madrid's youth system, including Shea Charles, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios. Palacios provided an assist in the win at West Ham, but integrating these young talents has proven challenging during a difficult run.
The road ahead
With the international break underway, the focus shifts to a key away match at Ipswich Town on October 10. Ipswich currently occupy 11th place, presenting a significant opportunity for Fulham to finally secure a first league win. The club will be without Kenny Tete and Tom Cairney for that fixture, as confirmed by the latest injuries list.
Fulham returned to the Premier League in 2022 and now face a stern battle to maintain their status. They are already 13 points behind leaders Manchester City. The team's upcoming schedule can be viewed on the club's fixtures page, with every point now carrying immense weight. Their next home league game is against Crystal Palace on October 17, following the trip to Portman Road.
More detail at Daily Mail Sport
