Sunday Fulham Stuff (09/02/14)...

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For Fulham The Only Way Is Up

For the next fourteen games, the only way is up. That's right, readers, the never-mighty-but-once-almost-European-champions Fulham find themselves a rock bottom 20th place in the Premier League. I've often thought in my head that achieving 20 points around Christmas each season is a good barometer in terms of relegation probability; this season the Whites are stuck on 19 points – a tally that looks to extend through a period of February blues, with Manchester United and Liverpool next up.

There has been a lot of criticism flying around from all corners; fans have vented on the internet en masse, sports pundits have called Fulham's performance's lamentable, and even current Fulham-player-in-exile Bryan Ruiz apparently chipping in, slating Meulensteen's 'fighting mentality'. In fact, some of the views on social media platforms have been so strong that one could easily assume that the accused are standing trial for slaughtering kittens, innocent in their sleep, rather than too frequently failing to prevent a spherical object ending up in the wrong rectangular area.

Rene himself has described the team as 'hitting rock bottom'; rightly so, after what was one of the most dire games of the 21st century against Sheffield United on Tuesday (in my opinion, a close third behind England vs Algeria in the 2010 World Cup, and Swansea vs Sunderland last year, which was so bad I started sniffing permanent markers). With most pundits writing the team off as 'woeful' (Savage, R., 2014), Hugo Rodallega inconsolably in tears, and ITV4 commentators laughing at performances, I think most Fulham fans are in agreement that this current team have been on the metaphorical receiving end of one of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's signature wrestling moves.

Now is not the time to pull the plug on our support for this club. Neither is it the time to hurl an excess of abuse in the direction of any one direction. It is – as clichéd as it may seem – the time to get behind the team.

Before jumping to any conclusions that this is just a last chance saloon plea for fan optimism, or suggesting I'm actually the collective consciousness of Meulensteen, Wilkins and Curbishley assembled as some kind of fearful author-banshee, let me explain myself. In fact, let me ask a simple question: why is it you like football? Why is it you support Fulham, or any team for that matter?

It's not because you want your team to win week in, week out. It's not even to watch your team win. It's surely for the enjoyment of watching your team try. Think about it. Although some of the most memorable nights in the recent history of Fulham have been in triumph – the improbable 4-1 Europa victory over Juventus, for example – many of the great memories have be made when the team failed to beat the odds, but tried valiantly nonetheless; losing that eventual Europa League final to Atletico Madrid in extra time. When playing football at university, my team's best game on paper was a 6-1 victory, in which I score a Le Tissier-esque volley from the edge of the box, sparking wild celebrations. However, I have just as fond memories of a 10-0 defeat away at sixth-form college Long Road's second team, courtesy of our honest labour in fruitlessly attempting to win the ball off these athletic prodigies. Sure, everyone likes to win, but it is a genuine truth that participation can be just as rewarding.

This brings me to my last point. To most observers, even to myself, Fulham's performances in recent weeks have had an authentic feel that the team fielded are not trying, persevering or innovating. They have looked, at times, staler than a farmhouse loaf from 1804. The Cottagers are stuck in the almightiest of ruts. However, it is in none of the players' interests to play badly. It is not in Rene Meulensteen's interests to manage badly.

This is where the supporters can help: take encouragement in any small step of Steve Sidwell in a goal-ward direction, applaud madly if one of Brede Hangeland's wild up-field punts actually finds a target, or worship Pajtim Kasami clearing a corner like he's Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. Sure, it may not be pretty, certainly won't win us any silverware, and may not be enough to keep Fulham in the Premier League, but I guarantee it will help find fans some quantum of solace (yes, I stole that expression from James Bond).

To quote a popular Foo Fighters song, it's times like these you give and give again. Let's get behind this team whether we're beating Manchester United gloriously or losing 7- to Leyton Orient in a year's time. The Cottagers will always need their fans, no matter where they're at home.



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