First game of the new season.

[filham]

I really don't subscribe to the "it doesn't matter who we play" view.

If we are drawn against Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal in the first five matches we won't be expected to get a point. But then we're on zero points and low confidence fearing the worst for the season ahead.

Playing so-called lesser teams early on, getting points on the board and building confidence with a sense of belonging and being able to compete in the top flight surely has to be preferable!

Yes I agree but then playing the lesser teams and not getting points on the board is disastrous. If we get lower rated teams for say the first four matches then the pressure is fully on from the word go.

[filham]

What I am really looking for is a local derby on Boxing day , in the old days that was almost a certainty but nowadays it is more likely to be Newcastle than Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham, Palace or Brentford.

[St Eve]

Looks like we all agree then. The best start we can get is an away win against Man City

[Woolly Mammoth]

Looks like we all agree then. The best start we can get is an away win against Man City

CORRECT

[rebel]

I think it will be one of the big guns, in the past we've had Arsenal I think.

We shouldn't fear anyone if we want to be in the Premiership.

[Woolly Mammoth]

Too many people afraid of their own shadows about meeting a few top clubs early on because of who THEY are and then have the audacity and arrogance to think we stand a better chance against smaller clubs and therefore expect to pick up points because of who THEY are.

You cannot run away from any club we are going to have to play them sooner or later.
So what are you going to do if we play Southampton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Forest or Huddersfield in our first 4 matches and we lose all 4. That will be real pressure no doubt.
Are you going to combust and burst into flames, or go live in a commune for hermits or bury your heads in the sand, probably all three by the sound of it.

We have just got promoted and your already afraid of playing certain clubs because of their stature.
What kind of attitude is that.
Perhaps it would be better if we stayed in the Championship and stay safe and live happy ever after. 
Where are aspirations and the desire to meet head on the challenges of taking on the big boys and not so big boys.
We are not in a position of choosing our own fixtures, so whatever comes out of the hat deal with it like good gentlemen and EMBRACE the challenge.

You can always recognise a coward by the back of his head as he runs from the Battlefield.

[Whitestone]

I don't think posters on this thread are afraid of taking on the teams with an abundance of riches and very capable squads. People are just being realistic, that's all. We won't be in a position to go toe to toe with certain teams, that's the reality of the position we are currently in. It doesn't mean we won't pick up points against those teams either. We will, but not many. If fortune favours us this time round we might just stay up which will allow us to progress in the way we all hope. Fortunately this is football, which bares no resemblance to war, so there won't be any cowards or battlefields.

[ron]

Just so we don't get into the mindset that "pre-season friendlies are meaningless and it doesn't matter if we get hammered in all of them". We need to be premier league ready from minute 1 of game 1 with a confidence building pre season behind us.... because all the rest will be.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I don't think posters on this thread are afraid of taking on the teams with an abundance of riches and very capable squads. People are just being realistic, that's all. We won't be in a position to go toe to toe with certain teams, that's the reality of the position we are currently in. It doesn't mean we won't pick up points against those teams either. We will, but not many. If fortune favours us this time round we might just stay up which will allow us to progress in the way we all hope. Fortunately this is football, which bares no resemblance to war, so there won't be any cowards or battlefields.

If you believe what you have written then prepare yourself for a surprise.

[WindyCity]

We need to be premier league ready from minute 1 of game 1 with a confidence building pre season behind us.... because all the rest will be.

You are CORRECT good sir......

[EN1 FFC]

I'm expecting it to be a London club.
There's ourselves and six others in the Premier (Brentford, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, WHU) so I'd expect them to spread out these fixtures.
But I bet we'll still get Newcastle away Christmas or New Years day.  :dft012:

[JohnG]

It would be good to have a winnable match to start with provided we are ready for it with incoming transfers already integrated.

The main obstacle to staying up is our appalling record in local derbies (I can't remember our last victory!) and we have 12 of them this year, almost a third of the matches. Maybe a winning start in a London Derby will set us up nicely.

[Hugh Gentry]

Palace away, 12th best team in the Premier league last season, like Anguissa the season before

[FFC1987]

Not to be funny or anything, but I think every game is going to be a bloody struggle for us next season. Some harder than others granted but anyone can beat anyone really so fingers crossed we can get some points on the board early!

[Woolly Mammoth]

Absolutely we have to look upon every game as a six pointer, from the first match which i hope will be an away fixture as the Fulham players should not feel under so much pressure and it is important to play without fear.

[Blawarmy]

All that matters is we have a squad able to compete against all teams in this division.  A home/away win against one of the so called  'big' clubs would be nice,  but equally a home/away win against one of the smaller clubs like Brentford would also be very nice!

[Woolly Mammoth]

All that matters is we have a squad able to compete against all teams in this division.  A home/away win against one of the so called  'big' clubs would be nice,  but equally a home/away win against one of the smaller clubs like Brentford would also be very nice!

Absolutely, whether it's bigger or a smaller club they all count, and if we can build up a head of steam it will give us a platform to try and progress through the season, consistancy is the key.
but as you say we cannot do that without a decent squad and that is why it is imperative we can bring some experience and leadership as well as that extra quality and power which is essential.
The spine has to take priority as well as extra pace on the wings, a mean defence and a centre midfield with vision and creativity is also a requirement.
I imagine the club have lined up their targets, first second and third choices and try and get them in as early as they can, although i understand it will not be easy, what with agents and other vultures circling.

[toshes mate]

Being 'realistic' and fearing the future because of the past isn't being realistic (seeing things as they really are).  The past is gone and nobody truly knows the future although anybody can make predictions and even live or die by them.  Reality is living the moment and none of us have ever been anywhere near late May 2022 before.  Next season is not 2018/19, or 2020/21. 

Woolly puts it better than I can:

[W]hether it's bigger or a smaller club they all count, and if we can build up a head of steam it will give us a platform to try and progress through the season, consistancy is the key.
but as you say we cannot do that without a decent squad and that is why it is imperative we can bring some experience and leadership as well as that extra quality and power which is essential.
The spine has to take priority as well as extra pace on the wings, a mean defence and a centre midfield with vision and creativity is also a requirement.

We really cannot be shooting ourselves in both feet before a ball is kicked.  We have just witnessed one of FFC's best performances at level two - let that experience become part of the Club's DNA for 2022/23 and see where it gets us to after a thirty eight game season - played one game at a time.

   

[MartyFFC]

Palace away, 12th best team in the Premier league last season, like Anguissa the season before

11th best diagonal dribbler in his own half

[filham]

Make no mistake it is important that our team is formed and ready to play together in those pre season matches so that it is bonded by the time the season starts.
To face the early season matches with players that have just arrived is a recipe for defeat.