Friends of Fulham

Just keen to see where the balance of opinion is on this having seen various posts on it across multiple threads. So when do we actually think the Khans need to make a decision?

This is ridiculous. Get behind the team and the manager. We haven't even started our 3 new players. Garcia looks good, Palacios a snip at €10m and Charles pretty good. Hopefully, Affi better than JA and will improve defence and hoping that Charles and Larssen will be an effective midfield partnership.

I'm excited about the improvement going forward. A bit of time to bed in the new centre back, sort out the positioning of them and the full backs, we'll be fine.

Quote from: Fulham 1879 on September 06, 2026, 05:09:16 PMThis is ridiculous. Get behind the team and the manager. We haven't even started our 3 new players. Garcia looks good, Palacios a snip at €10m and Charles pretty good. Hopefully, Affi better than JA and will improve defence and hoping that Charles and Larssen will be an effective midfield partnership.

FWIW my take is at least one of the last two. I was actually hoping the poll would show most people are in a similar camp, ie, those already calling for his head are just a vocal minority. But I think you have to be realistic, he's not in any universe getting much longer (say, longer than 6-8 games) if it carries on like this.

Hypothetical same question I asked when people were calling for Silva to be sacked: who replaces him?

I imagine if we lose the next two and then one of the first two games against the promoted sides he will be replaced. And deservedly so.

We've heavily invested in him. I don't see there being any chance whatsoever of him being sacked before Christmas. He's rightly going to be given time.

I also hope that the fans get off his back and give him and his young squad a chance to adapt. Booing after 3 league games is utterly pathetic.

Quote from: SimonDaviesEnjoyer on September 06, 2026, 05:14:30 PMHypothetical same question I asked when people were calling for Silva to be sacked: who replaces him?

When you asked that, everybody's darling, Eddie Howe wasn't available. If the club feel he might be a better bet, they'd better get their skates on. I'm not so sure.

6 games for me. If we lose at Ipswich with no improvement I would say we have to get rid. We cannot afford to be anyone's work experience or life lesson, we will be relegated if we aren't decisive when necessary 

Everything about him screams mistake. Screams relegation. I hated it when he was appointed and my fears have been confirmed. 3 games, 3 losses, signs of dissent within the team, and an angry fan base. Get him gone and get a proper manager in before its too late. Eddie Howe would do just fine.

Let's support the team and the manager . many of the moaners who were fed up with Silva Arte now on Arbeloa s back .the defending must improve or he won't last long ,but yesterdays performance was mainly decent apart from a few stupid mistakes at the back and failure to convert more of our 25 attempts on goal. Palace got lucky ,big time .

Looks like over reaction.  Only 3 games in.  Very disappointing results, not happy about any of it.  BUT, only 3 games in and we do have some good players in this team.  And some of the new acquisitions have yet to make appearance.  I suggest deep breath and a few more games pass and see if team is playing any better, especially the backline defense.

If he doesn't spend time organising the defence he'll be gone sooner than later. If he can sort it out, and I really don't think he will, we could try have a reasonable season.

But that lack of defence and poor substitutions will see us bottom three in October and then he'll be gone anyway.

He's going absolutely nowhere... not this side of Christmas....
Too much investment made...
But he's got to sort this joke of a defence out...
You cannot keep conceding such poor goals every game and survive.
We will expectedly get nothing from the next two matches... after that, the noise will certainly begin if there is no improvement...
I hope for Fulham's sake he has it in him...
We shall all find out in time...
COYW

Quote from: Fulham Tup North on September 06, 2026, 05:34:09 PMHe's going absolutely nowhere... not this side of Christmas....
Too much investment made...
But he's got to sort this joke of a defence out...
You cannot keep conceding such poor goals every game and survive.
We will expectedly get nothing from the next two matches... after that, the noise will certainly begin if there is no improvement...
I hope for Fulham's sake he has it in him...
We shall all find out in time...
COYW

I don't quite get the too much investment made comment? The only players we bought that are truly Arbeloa players who probably wouldn't play under a new manager are Palacios and Angel. And they cost 8 and 4 million pounds respectively.

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 05:35:58 PM

Quote from: Fulham Tup North on September 06, 2026, 05:34:09 PMHe's going absolutely nowhere... not this side of Christmas....
Too much investment made...
But he's got to sort this joke of a defence out...
You cannot keep conceding such poor goals every game and survive.
We will expectedly get nothing from the next two matches... after that, the noise will certainly begin if there is no improvement...
I hope for Fulham's sake he has it in him...
We shall all find out in time...
COYW

I don't quite get the too much investment made comment? The only players we bought that are truly Arbeloa players who probably wouldn't play under a new manager are Palacios and Angel. And they cost 8 and 4 million pounds respectively.

Wouldn't Garcia be also included.....

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 05:35:58 PM

Quote from: Fulham Tup North on September 06, 2026, 05:34:09 PMHe's going absolutely nowhere... not this side of Christmas....
Too much investment made...
But he's got to sort this joke of a defence out...
You cannot keep conceding such poor goals every game and survive.
We will expectedly get nothing from the next two matches... after that, the noise will certainly begin if there is no improvement...
I hope for Fulham's sake he has it in him...
We shall all find out in time...
COYW

I don't quite get the too much investment made comment? The only players we bought that are truly Arbeloa players who probably wouldn't play under a new manager are Palacios and Angel. And they cost 8 and 4 million pounds respectively.

What about Garcia?? You cannot just ignore him surely??

Quote from: Fulham Tup North on September 06, 2026, 05:40:28 PM

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 05:35:58 PM

Quote from: Fulham Tup North on September 06, 2026, 05:34:09 PMHe's going absolutely nowhere... not this side of Christmas....
Too much investment made...
But he's got to sort this joke of a defence out...
You cannot keep conceding such poor goals every game and survive.
We will expectedly get nothing from the next two matches... after that, the noise will certainly begin if there is no improvement...
I hope for Fulham's sake he has it in him...
We shall all find out in time...
COYW

I don't quite get the too much investment made comment? The only players we bought that are truly Arbeloa players who probably wouldn't play under a new manager are Palacios and Angel. And they cost 8 and 4 million pounds respectively.

What about Garcia?? You cannot just ignore him surely??

Really? I figured it was obvious that Garcia is highly talented and could play for any manager. And any manager that comes in would be happy to pick him. Not sure about the other two.

I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it would be crazy to sack him after 3 games IMO.  Let's give him 5 more games and see where we are.  Provided we have at least 5-6 points, then it would indicate to me that things are moving in the right direction (the quality of performances obviously have a bearing as well).  If at Christmas we have not reached 20 points or thereabouts, then a decision needs to be made. You would hope (unlikely though it probably is), that the club will have sounded out potential replacements before they sack AA.

We thought ESR and Kevin were/are highly talented. I think they are still good players whose best we've yet to see but that's currently £75 million on the bench.

The foghorn behind me has already decided after 70 minutes on Saturday vs Palace , he has to go !

I think we have to give him at least 10-11 games , the foghorn did raise one good point and I must admit I didn't notice but we didn't appear to have anyone playing left wing and as for the right hand side in defensive mode well that was pretty bad too.

On a positive note we are creating and scoring goals.

A minimum of two seasons.

I think it depends on the performances to a large extent, if we give up tonnes of space and concede silly goals in the next two I think that would be enough.

If we lose both but compete well then you need to keep going and give him the next 3.

My concern is he seems to be one of this 'Philosophy' type managers, who won't budge their ideals and tactics.
Examples of Big Ange, Amorim....... They didn't fair well at all, and they had better squads and they both just about stayed in the league.
He needs to adapt, and tweak things, it seems like 90% ATT and 10% DEF.
Give us 70/30

Eddie Howe will be snapped up by the first PL team to sack its manager, or at the very least will be targeted by the first team to sack its manager.

For what it's worth, I think Eddie Howe would do a great job for us

Eddie wouldn't come to us.

Quote from: Rambler on September 06, 2026, 06:53:04 PMEddie Howe will be snapped up by the first PL team to sack its manager, or at the very least will be targeted by the first team to sack its manager.

For what it's worth, I think Eddie Howe would do a great job for us

Indeed. If Arbeloa is thrown out that's who should come in.

Quote from: Rambler on September 06, 2026, 06:53:04 PMEddie Howe will be snapped up by the first PL team to sack its manager, or at the very least will be targeted by the first team to sack its manager.

For what it's worth, I think Eddie Howe would do a great job for us

I hope it's us

To me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

We basically have the same xG through three games as we did all of last year, however our expected goals against has tripled. So to say that our offense has improved massively might just be our eyes deceiving us.

I'm in the nine or ten games minimum camp. We have invested so comprehensively in AA and his approach that I think we are now duty bound to strive to see it successful.
Am I optimistic? No. Do I think we are likely to be in a relegation battle? Yes. But that changes nothing we simply have to try our best to make it a success. I bloody well hope we win through. If we do then the football is going to be very exciting indeed.

Quote from: Twig on September 06, 2026, 07:45:39 PMI'm in the nine or ten games minimum camp. We have invested so comprehensively in AA and his approach that I think we are now duty bound to strive to see it successful.
Am I optimistic? No. Do I think we are likely to be in a relegation battle? Yes. But that changes nothing we simply have to try our best to make it a success. I bloody well hope we win through. If we do then the football is going to be very exciting indeed.

THIS!!  ::smile::  ::thumb::

You should have added the next 5 games, it makes no odds what I say and it makes no odds on what anyone on here says , those three games after the International break will decide his future,
Lose all three and he's gone, it really is as simple that.

I'd give him a couple of seasons. No point in doing a u-turn now away from better football towards a period of more chaos. Yes, we need the defending addressed but I'm confident the manager and team have already started fixing the woes. 

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 07:44:06 PM

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

We basically have the same xG through three games as we did all of last year, however our expected goals against has tripled. So to say that our offense has improved massively might just be our eyes deceiving us.

Actually, while we're talking about an incredibly small sample, our xG has improved considerably this year. We're on pace for an xG of ~69 (last year it was 48.4). However it's worth nothing that our xGOT is pretty anemic (xG of 5.42 v. xGOT of 2.98...in short our finishing has been very poor...4 actual goals for a 38 match pace of ~51...the same amount we scored last season).

But as you note, our xGA has increased considerably. We're on pace to concede an xGA of ~79 (v. 53.4 last season) which would be worse than Burnley who allowed the worst xGA last season. Worse, we're on pace to allow ~89 actual goals, with the difference between xGA and GA due primarily to poor goalkeeping. The last time a PL side allowed 89 or more was Sheffield United in 23-24. And worth noting that two of our 3 opponents thus far are hardly teams that are expected to be terribly proficient in front of the net this season (they were 17th and 18th in the PL in goals scored last season).

On the topic of this thread, I'd generally be in the camp of giving a new guy a decent run of matches, but I'm increasingly concerned by what I'm seeing from AA. He seems dead set on playing a style that I don't believe ANY midtable PL side can play. If he doesn't start showing some flexibility/pragmatism soon, I'd like to see us pull the trigger pretty quickly. I think there is more than enough talent in this squad to comfortably stay up and if he can't make it work, let's get somebody in who can.

Quote from: Chi_FFC on September 06, 2026, 08:58:37 PM

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 07:44:06 PM

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

We basically have the same xG through three games as we did all of last year, however our expected goals against has tripled. So to say that our offense has improved massively might just be our eyes deceiving us.

Actually, while we're talking about an incredibly small sample, our xG has improved considerably this year. We're on pace for an xG of ~69 (last year it was 48.4). However it's worth nothing that our xGOT is pretty anemic (xG of 5.42 v. xGOT of 2.98...in short our finishing has been very poor...4 actual goals for a 38 match pace of ~51 v. 51 last season).

But as you note, our xGA has increased considerably. We're on pace to concede an xGA of ~79 (v. 53.4 last season) which would be worse than Burnley who allowed the worst xGA last season. Worse, we're on pace to allow ~89 actual goals, with the difference between xGA and GA due primarily to poor goalkeeping. The last time a PL side allowed 89 or more was Sheffield United in 23-24. And worth noting that two of our 3 opponents thus far are hardly teams that are expected to be terribly proficient in front of the net this season (they were 17th and 18th in the PL in goals scored last season).

On the topic of this thread, I'd generally be in the camp of giving a new guy a decent run of matches, but I'm increasingly concerned by what I'm seeing from AA. He seems dead set on playing a style that I don't believe ANY midtable PL side can play. If he doesn't start showing some flexibility/pragmatism soon, I'd like to see us pull the trigger pretty quickly. I think there is more than enough talent in this squad to comfortably stay up and if he can't make it work, let's get somebody in who can.

Thanks for the thorough breakdown, I didn't know quite how to describe the numbers I was looking at.

Quote from: C Block on September 06, 2026, 08:30:06 PMYou should have added the next 5 games, it makes no odds what I say and it makes no odds on what anyone on here says , those three games after the International break will decide his future,
Lose all three and he's gone, it really is as simple that.

I don't think it is that simple actually. For example if we lose the first 6-7 games of the season, I don't see him still being here for the 8th (ie the third of those three you mention).

Interesting, a slim majority would give him at least 6 games in any case, which is probably my take too, but I expect a few will renege if indeed we lose the next two without any sign of improvement in mitigation

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

You have a strange sense of humour if you think that was fun yesterday. Just for clarity I'm not in the Arbeloa out camp but I might be if things haven't improved by the end of next month when we simply have to pick up points against the three promoted teams.

Quote from: Chi_FFC on September 06, 2026, 08:58:37 PMActually, while we're talking about an incredibly small sample, our xG has improved considerably this year. We're on pace for an xG of ~69 (last year it was 48.4). However it's worth nothing that our xGOT is pretty anemic (xG of 5.42 v. xGOT of 2.98...in short our finishing has been very poor...4 actual goals for a 38 match pace of ~51...the same amount we scored last season).

But as you note, our xGA has increased considerably. We're on pace to concede an xGA of ~79 (v. 53.4 last season) which would be worse than Burnley who allowed the worst xGA last season. Worse, we're on pace to allow ~89 actual goals, with the difference between xGA and GA due primarily to poor goalkeeping. The last time a PL side allowed 89 or more was Sheffield United in 23-24. And worth noting that two of our 3 opponents thus far are hardly teams that are expected to be terribly proficient in front of the net this season (they were 17th and 18th in the PL in goals scored last season).

On the topic of this thread, I'd generally be in the camp of giving a new guy a decent run of matches, but I'm increasingly concerned by what I'm seeing from AA. He seems dead set on playing a style that I don't believe ANY midtable PL side can play. If he doesn't start showing some flexibility/pragmatism soon, I'd like to see us pull the trigger pretty quickly. I think there is more than enough talent in this squad to comfortably stay up and if he can't make it work, let's get somebody in who can.

Just came across another concerning stat from yesterday (and frankly all season). For all the talk of our improved offensive performance, Palace had 6 big chances while we only had 2 (Sun 4/Ful 1, Che 4/Ful 2).

Quote from: Chi_FFC on September 06, 2026, 11:02:59 PM

Quote from: Chi_FFC on September 06, 2026, 08:58:37 PMActually, while we're talking about an incredibly small sample, our xG has improved considerably this year. We're on pace for an xG of ~69 (last year it was 48.4). However it's worth nothing that our xGOT is pretty anemic (xG of 5.42 v. xGOT of 2.98...in short our finishing has been very poor...4 actual goals for a 38 match pace of ~51...the same amount we scored last season).

But as you note, our xGA has increased considerably. We're on pace to concede an xGA of ~79 (v. 53.4 last season) which would be worse than Burnley who allowed the worst xGA last season. Worse, we're on pace to allow ~89 actual goals, with the difference between xGA and GA due primarily to poor goalkeeping. The last time a PL side allowed 89 or more was Sheffield United in 23-24. And worth noting that two of our 3 opponents thus far are hardly teams that are expected to be terribly proficient in front of the net this season (they were 17th and 18th in the PL in goals scored last season).

On the topic of this thread, I'd generally be in the camp of giving a new guy a decent run of matches, but I'm increasingly concerned by what I'm seeing from AA. He seems dead set on playing a style that I don't believe ANY midtable PL side can play. If he doesn't start showing some flexibility/pragmatism soon, I'd like to see us pull the trigger pretty quickly. I think there is more than enough talent in this squad to comfortably stay up and if he can't make it work, let's get somebody in who can.

Just came across another concerning stat from yesterday (and frankly all season). For all the talk of our improved offensive performance, Palace had 6 big chances while we only had 2 (Sun 4/Ful 1, Che 4/Ful 2).

That tracks with what I noticed watching the game, we created a lot of half-chances but not really many good ones. 25 shots with only 6 on target also speaks to that.

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

Individual errors caused by our tactics. We lost those games because of the manager. I highly doubt he'll change his style of play or adapt it. I hope I'm wrong, but if there is no improvement or change in tactics over the next two games then we know he won't change a thing and it's time to move on.

I guarantee if we play badly in the next two and lose the poll will look wildly different. I made another thread saying he has two games to save his job and I think that's likely. Eddie Howe for me and I think he would come.

Well, AA is going to get longer than Fabio Grosso did at Fiorentina!
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2096712646863061161?s=20

One side point I would like to make, after the Liverpool and Man United games, the following three games are Ipswich, Hull and Coventry. If we play badly and lose our next two games do we chance keeping AA in place with those three games next. It will be a huge call either way. If we are to change manager we need to do it going into the international break before those three games or we make our bed and sleep in it. I think I've made my position pretty clear in what we should do.

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 07:44:06 PM

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

We basically have the same xG through three games as we did all of last year, however our expected goals against has tripled. So to say that our offense has improved massively might just be our eyes deceiving us.

I'm one of the older bunch but some of these stats are garbage, at Sunderland they said we had zero attempts on target but out of the eleven shots we had only three were off target. They didn't count the eight on target because those shots were stopped by the defender.

How long are we giving you lot of moaners,, ::smile::

Wanted to chime in here. I am generally one of the more positive members of this board and I tend to give managers the benefit of the doubt because of how much more access they have to the players in training & out of our view.

The single thing that has given me the most worry isn't the squad, it isn't the transfers, or even the general play style we've shown through three games. 

It's Arbeloa's subs. And to a lesser degree his lineups, particularly forcing in Palacios. They have seemed totally daft to me, even game-killing at times, and betray a real misunderstanding of how he needs to use the existing attacking talent on this roster. With so many goals from Harry & Jimenez gone, we always had to squeeze as much goal potential as we could out of Kevin, Smith Rowe, and Iwobi.  Instead he has played them out of position, made them switch positions mid-stream at the wrong times, or not played them at all.

In my opinion it's not a coincidence that Kevin, Smith Rowe, and Iwobi are the players who appear to be rebelling on social media. Even before that happened, they were the three I thought he was gravely misusing. If we don't get some or all of the best out of them the rest of the season, I believe we go down. We do not have enough firepower otherwise.

If we sack him, the 3 new spanish players will start to sulk and may leave in Jan.  He is the only reason why they joined.

Gonzalo is special, probably one of the best strikers we had. He is also possibly one of the reason why our attack looks decent so far.

So in some ways, we are stucked with AA?

Until May,2027

Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on September 06, 2026, 07:44:06 PM

Quote from: AustrianGeezer on September 06, 2026, 07:30:57 PMTo me it is absolutely wild that people are already asking for him to be replaced. I think offensively we have improved massively compared to what we saw under silva. We lost three games all by one goal and a lot of the goals were down to individual errors.
Let's see how the new guys will do for themselves. Defense might look better already with affengruber in the mix.
Im optimistic that we're staying up and for the first time in forever we're fun to watch again!

We basically have the same xG through three games as we did all of last year, however our expected goals against has tripled. So to say that our offense has improved massively might just be our eyes deceiving us.

5.49 our xg for the same three games this season, 4.01 our xg last season, six points last season from same fixtures.
5.37 against this season v 5.31 last season. Conceded 4 last season conceded 7 this season.

I have gone for 5 games not I think that it really matters. If somebody else takes over we still have the same squad until the next transfer window and how much more are we allowed to spend within the rules, not much I suspect. Wouldnt say we should be written off yet but the future this season does not look bright.

he needs a bit of time. lets see where we are by Halloween then we should know. if we are on 0 points by then then yeh we have to get rid.

Quote from: fulhamfan on September 07, 2026, 09:09:51 AMhe needs a bit of time. lets see where we are by Halloween then we should know. if we are on 0 points by then then yeh we have to get rid.

We all need to keep calm until after the Hull game at the Cottage

If you sack a manager after 3 (or even 5, 6 games) what happens if the next manager comes in and there is no improvement after the same number of games? Do you sack him as well? If some people had their way - we might be on our fourth manager before Xmas!

It's going to be tough, but I think we can get 7 points from the next 5.  From then, I think we will slowly move up to a safer position by the end of December.

Happy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

Need to persevere with him. Way too soon to tell.  Personally, I did think he was a bad choice. No premier league experience (not always a bad thing but a gamble), history of being an assistant, so limited track record.  All we can do now is wait and see (and hope) because we have some very good players.

Quote from: Bassey the warrior on September 07, 2026, 09:39:57 AMHappy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

I mean, nearly 50% of voters would have him gone after 6 games if we see no improvement in the next two. Those 2 are Liverpool and United. Not great, is it?

all the losses have been narrow as well. not like we've been battered

I have voted for him to go now. I know that this is harsh and I know that it is unpopular.

I would be happy for him to stay if he could tone down his high line approach. If he only attacked with one fullback and not both at the same time. Allow the other one to sit back with the central defenders so that they are prepared for a counter attack.

We were playing with all 10 men well inside Palace's half at times and not just from corners.

People should stop blaming individual players as we are relying on players to never turn the ball over or be prepared to run back 50 yards as a long hoof has just cut our team to pieces and allowed a speedy winger a stupid amount of space.

We are too easy to play against. We are relying on individual defensive brilliance to get us out of holes. The result will be that we need to score 4 to be in with a chance of winning.

I admire those that think that our players can adapt to this approach but unfortunately the opposition can also and as I said we are too easy to play against.

I don't think that Arbeloa, who has gone all in on these tactics, will change.

So it is nothing personal but the sooner that someone at the club realises that this is an impossible experiment the better.

I would rather see Dyche's or Parker's defensive dross at the moment than this, because I know that we are going to lose.

I know that I am ready to be attacked for these views, but I think that more people will come round to my thinking as time goes by.

I hope that I am wrong because imagine how good it would be if we could get this to work.

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on September 07, 2026, 10:17:14 AM

Quote from: Bassey the warrior on September 07, 2026, 09:39:57 AMHappy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

I mean, nearly 50% of voters would have him gone after 6 games if we see no improvement in the next two. Those 2 are Liverpool and United. Not great, is it?

United are hardly setting the world on fire.  If Marco was still in charge we would be looking at that as a winnable fixture.  But now...

I think a point from Utd at home is perfectly feasible, as is 6 pts out of the following 3 games against the newly promoted clubs. With the new players bedded in and the confidence that a couple of wins brings, a mid-table finish is well within the bounds of possibility. Let's not go all Corporal Jones!

The other thing that hasn't really been touched on so far is Arbeloa and how he's choosing to manage this situation.
In the post match press conference last week he tore into players which to many was a suprise, then this week a totally different approach praising the players. Has someone had a word?

It seems to me that the pressure cooker of the Premier League is a different beast to life at La Fabrica  where he has the best academy and can afford to press all game as he had the best players. I've seen some signs he's making that adaptation.

I'm sure we've all now seen Kevin's 'see no, hear no, say no' Insta post and Iwobi archiving all his Fulham related posts. Player power is a new dynamic for him and one he needs to handle before it handles him.

I voted six plus but if Arbeloa's naivety continues he'll go in six IMO

A thread on TIFF saying (according to Green Pole podcast) that there was an emergency meeting at Motspur Park yesterday.
One poster saying Khans swung by,not alls well at Fulham and Ali Mac was against AA appointment.

Anyone on here listen to Green Pole podcast and can shed anymore light on this?

Quote from: FFCBadger on September 07, 2026, 11:24:22 AMThe other thing that hasn't really been touched on so far is Arbeloa and how he's choosing to manage this situation.
In the post match press conference last week he tore into players which to many was a suprise, then this week a totally different approach praising the players. Has someone had a word?

It seems to me that the pressure cooker of the Premier League is a different beast to life at La Fabrica  where he has the best academy and can afford to press all game as he had the best players. I've seen some signs he's making that adaptation.

I'm sure we've all now seen Kevin's 'see no, hear no, say no' Insta post and Iwobi archiving all his Fulham related posts. Player power is a new dynamic for him and one he needs to handle before it handles him.

I voted six plus but if Arbeloa's naivety continues he'll go in six IMO

I think that deleting FFC related accounts is due to online abuse, not necessarily player discontent.

I really do not think he tore into the players
After the terrible game at Sunderland.
Saturdays game was much better and he said so.
As for player power, ESR and kevin have, under 2 managers
failed to nail a regular starting place.
They maybe need to take a long hard look at themselves
as to why that is.

Quote from: spikey norman on September 07, 2026, 11:29:01 AMA thread on TIFF saying (according to Green Pole podcast) that there was an emergency meeting at Motspur Park yesterday.
One poster saying Khans swung by,not alls well at Fulham and Ali Mac was against AA appointment.

Anyone on here listen to Green Pole podcast and can shed anymore light on this?

I saw this on X. More stirring the pot which I don't like.  I would imagine it is not unusual for a meeting on a Monday. I am also sure the current situation will not be the one the powers that be expected but, do we really need to keep speculating on whether our manager of 3 matches should be fired?

Let's have some patience and stop with the "this player said this" "this player did that" nonsense. The media will have a field day reading our forums and the socials. Nobody needs it.

Have to say I've always leaned towards giving a new manager a chance to build and get their style across.

The thing that concerns me this time around though is all of the rumours of squad disharmony coming out now when we have clearly had a very happy and strong dressing room for years. Think of all the points we won from behind in the last few years - that is not a team without fight and belief in each other. I wouldn't say any seem to be big time Charlies or trouble makers the likes of Darren Bent or Taraabt in that awful 2014 season, they all seem to be decent, level headed pros and none have had reputations otherwise before they came here. It's the speed at which things have seemingly gone so toxic that concerns me this time around, and really only points in one direction sadly.

A mini alarm bell starting ringing after Arbeloa called out our players' fight and attitude publicly on TV in only his second game. For me, if you think that then by all means pull them up on it in the privacy of the dressing room - but to do it on cam in the second game? No good was ever going to come from that in this day and age. It showed not only a remarkable lack of emotional intelligence or regard for his players. He effectually threw a grenade into that dressing room. This is the era of the head coach and not the all-powerful Manager: these days you need to win over the dressing room and earn their respect before you can dig them out. He patently has not done the former before attempting the latter, which shows an alarming lack of self awareness and of how to use the media - a key tool as a head coach. Is he hoping that being a former Real Madrid player and (interim) manager means he garners instant respect and means he can treat people however he sees fit? It's just not how it works.

I am also worried that he is married to a system which works for the likes of Man City as they have the best players and can play high/press high/dominate the ball and afford to take more risks as you have the best players all over the park. While we look like we will score quite a few, we don't yet have the best defenders for this system as puts so much pressure on the CBs, who need to be all rounders and on the way to being world class (fast, strong, good in the air, good readers/positionally, comfortable on the ball and can play passes between the lines). If we have any weakness there at all then we can have lots of possession and chances but will inevitably give up easy goals like the ones conceded on Saturday just due to how much pressure is put on by the system we play. We will need to score 3-4 goals a game to get anything at that rate. Even though I actually thought Andersen had an overall very good first half, Palace clearly targeted his and Timmy's side when they had the ball in defence and all 3 goals came from the LB position after turning over the ball in dangerous spots and very, very poor defending. Not digging out the players, that is the system they are playing in. We are SO easy to score against.

That he seems very wedded to this system gives me very Russell Martin vibes. I hope he proves me wrong as it could be the end of him very quickly.

If the players were clearly bought in to what he was trying to do then I'd say give him a chance - the noises coming out are indicate does not have a sizeable number of that dressing room on his side. I cannot hear anyone coming out and defending his system either which is telling.


He should definitely be given the next 2 games to turn it around - they can be seen as almost free hits. If we get absolute hidings in those then what are we holding on for? He needs to go. I sincerely hope he turns it around though and proves he can adapt/learn quickly.

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on September 07, 2026, 10:17:14 AM

Quote from: Bassey the warrior on September 07, 2026, 09:39:57 AMHappy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

I mean, nearly 50% of voters would have him gone after 6 games if we see no improvement in the next two. Those 2 are Liverpool and United. Not great, is it?

58% don't agree

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on September 07, 2026, 10:17:14 AM

Quote from: Bassey the warrior on September 07, 2026, 09:39:57 AMHappy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

I mean, nearly 50% of voters would have him gone after 6 games if we see no improvement in the next two. Those 2 are Liverpool and United. Not great, is it?

If we see no improvement that would suggest we will have conceded minimum 3 goals to Liverpool & Man Utd. Conceding 13 goals (or more) after 5 games is not a team that is staying up. I think at that point a lot of the middle-of-the-roaders like me would lose confidence.

However, there is no reason that we can't see that improvement. Adjusting the team to play tough games against top opposition is the heart of a lower PL team manager job; I look forward to seeing the adaptations Arbeloa makes.

The BIG difference nowadays is the internet, someone says something down the pub and maybe 4/5 people in the conversation, one person says something on the internet and thousands of people are in, then of course all rumours whether true or not suddenly become fact in peoples heads.

Quote from: hovewhite on September 07, 2026, 06:21:51 AMHow long are we giving you lot of moaners,, ::smile::

What a constructive contribution to this thread.

Quote from: Citizen Smith on September 07, 2026, 10:48:51 AMI think a point from Utd at home is perfectly feasible, as is 6 pts out of the following 3 games against the newly promoted clubs. With the new players bedded in and the confidence that a couple of wins brings, a mid-table finish is well within the bounds of possibility. Let's not go all Corporal Jones!

I agree that a mid table finish is within the bounds of possibility. However, just to point out that 1 pt off the Man U and Liverpool games plus 6pts from the next three games would be a total of 7 pts from 8 games. That's relegation form.

Quote from: Twig on September 07, 2026, 01:22:57 PM

Quote from: Citizen Smith on September 07, 2026, 10:48:51 AMI think a point from Utd at home is perfectly feasible, as is 6 pts out of the following 3 games against the newly promoted clubs. With the new players bedded in and the confidence that a couple of wins brings, a mid-table finish is well within the bounds of possibility. Let's not go all Corporal Jones!

I agree that a mid table finish is within the bounds of possibility. However, just to point out that 1 pt off the Man U and Liverpool games plus 6pts from the next three games would be a total of 7 pts from 8 games. That's relegation form.

As Little Dave someone points out in another thread - under Silva we went through bad runs where we gained (for example) 1 point from 18 or 3 points from 18.  Over the season you obviously need to compensate for the bad runs by having good runs where you get (say) 10+ points from 18.  You can't sack a manager based on the fact he is not gaining points at a specific rate over the course of every 5-6 games. It just so happens that it has happened now at the beginning of the season; A new manager in place, getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of his players and with three new signings who have been at the club for less than a week.

If we get 7 points from Man U and the three promoted teams that's 1.75 points per game for those four matches.

Continue that over the remaining 30 fixtures and you have yourselves 59/60 points.

I'm not making a bold prediction nor defending our very concerning front-foot tactics, just merely pointing out how stats can be skewed to support varying narratives.

Could this manager be worse than Magath or Sanchez?

Quote from: Citizen Smith on September 07, 2026, 10:48:51 AMI think a point from Utd at home is perfectly feasible

So do I, but I haven't written off some sort of result v Liverpool either.  There are good players in this team, and we haven't even seen some of the new arrivals yet on the pitch.  Fingers crossed things get straightened out.

Quote from: FFC007 on September 07, 2026, 01:46:05 PMCould this manager be worse than Magath or Sanchez?

No-one was as bad as Felix.

Quote from: davew on September 07, 2026, 08:44:39 AMI have gone for 5 games not I think that it really matters. If somebody else takes over we still have the same squad until the next transfer window and how much more are we allowed to spend within the rules, not much I suspect. Wouldnt say we should be written off yet but the future this season does not look bright.

I don't think it is the squad. I think it is the lack of organisation, particularly in defence. I saw no defensive lines, either 3,4, or 5 across the back. Were we zonal marking or man marking? of course it might be the shortcomings of our central defenders who aren't mobile enough to cope with a high press and still cover the space behind them. We must hope that the new signings will solve that problem. Castagne, in particular, seems to have been told to press forward but we have failed to defend the space that leaves. So I live in hope that the new boys will solve the problems and we will understand what AAs system is.

Quote from: spikey norman on September 07, 2026, 11:29:01 AMA thread on TIFF saying (according to Green Pole podcast) that there was an emergency meeting at Motspur Park yesterday.
One poster saying Khans swung by,not alls well at Fulham and Ali Mac was against AA appointment.

Anyone on here listen to Green Pole podcast and can shed anymore light on this?

That was posted by a character called Mickey, who is quite literally the village idiot, so I wouldn't take any notice.

Quote from: Lordedmundo on September 07, 2026, 01:36:11 PM

Quote from: Twig on September 07, 2026, 01:22:57 PM

Quote from: Citizen Smith on September 07, 2026, 10:48:51 AMI think a point from Utd at home is perfectly feasible, as is 6 pts out of the following 3 games against the newly promoted clubs. With the new players bedded in and the confidence that a couple of wins brings, a mid-table finish is well within the bounds of possibility. Let's not go all Corporal Jones!

I agree that a mid table finish is within the bounds of possibility. However, just to point out that 1 pt off the Man U and Liverpool games plus 6pts from the next three games would be a total of 7 pts from 8 games. That's relegation form.

As Little Dave someone points out in another thread - under Silva we went through bad runs where we gained (for example) 1 point from 18 or 3 points from 18.  Over the season you obviously need to compensate for the bad runs by having good runs where you get (say) 10+ points from 18.  You can't sack a manager based on the fact he is not gaining points at a specific rate over the course of every 5-6 games. It just so happens that it has happened now at the beginning of the season; A new manager in place, getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of his players and with three new signings who have been at the club for less than a week.

I'm not suggesting we should sack anyone, sorry if I somehow gave that impression. I was just pointing out that whilst I agree that a mid table finish is possible the form that you have predicted would be relegation form. That's all, nothing more.

All this conjecture and rumour and lack of support from some fans is bonkers, agreed it's fine to discuss crap tactics and players lack of performance, but to go after the Manager with just 3 games played.

I thought as a fan base we were  fighters, whats that saying,
" it's not the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog"!

We finally have youth, creativity, and energy all across the field and a new exciting,attacking style. If we can survive this year and hit mid-table, but with a 3 year vision to get into European competition with the project AA is working on, I will take the nerves and stress right now.

I see what he's trying to do, and yes we need to shore up the defense... but if Palace didn't have the keeper they do and the CBs they have, plus we were more clinical... would have been a 5-0 win. I know theory and what ifs don't matter.. but AA is brining in some real exciting, young talent, and i would rather continue with it than knee jerk react and sack him, pay him boatloads to leave, then get in a random, conservative gaffer who probably can't do anything with the squad we brought in because they are AAs guys

Quote from: ChesterTheTabby on September 07, 2026, 06:19:32 PM... but if Palace didn't have the keeper they do and the CBs they have, plus we were more clinical... would have been a 5-0 win.

Behave... they would have been 1-1 shortly after we took the lead Saturday, but for a marginal offside, which we got extremely lucky with... and let's be fair, Palace were not great... so to praise their keeper and CBs... who by EPL standards are very average, is a massive stretch...
Yes their keeper made a couple of good stops, but he's was hardly Gordon Banks...
We lost because we have no defence.
Let's not pretend we were unlucky because we were not...
AA needs to stay and sort this out... I hope he does... but please, be realistic  :slap:

Quote from: the nutflush on September 07, 2026, 10:37:55 AM

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on September 07, 2026, 10:17:14 AM

Quote from: Bassey the warrior on September 07, 2026, 09:39:57 AMHappy to see the silent (or at least quiet) majority agree with me. The loud negativity has been very depressng

I mean, nearly 50% of voters would have him gone after 6 games if we see no improvement in the next two. Those 2 are Liverpool and United. Not great, is it?

United are hardly setting the world on fire.  If Marco was still in charge we would be looking at that as a winnable fixture.  But now...

Damn right. Right now the thought of us losing possession and having Bruno Fernandes with the ball with so much space to play into is making me slightly nauseous.

He's effectively got a free hit for the next two games as everyone is expecting five defeats on the spin.  I think the next two after that are the defining games.  If no sign of improvement by then there needs to be some serious questions asked.

I do however think that the Khan's won't rush into anything as they are not trigger happy owners.