Saturday Fulham Stuff - 22/11/25...

[WhiteJC]

Regis Le Bris cautious of 'efficient' and 'proactive' Fulham
Sunderland will be tested thoroughly this weekend.

Regis Le Bris believes a "tough challenge" awaits Sunderland against Fulham.

The Black Cats continued to exceed expectations with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal a fortnight ago, but they want to make the most out of their momentum. On Saturday afternoon, they face 15th placed Fulham, an outfit whose organisation and structure will make them difficult to try to break down.

Le Bris expressed his respect for the work of Marco Silva since he moved to West London in the summer of 2021, and he highlighted one performance this campaign as a benchmark for expectations.

"The coaching staff have deeply analysed our last block of games to consolidate what went right so we can reinforce those things. We've shown it to the players so they can see what our strengths are.

"We've analysed our weaknesses because Arsenal really tested our limits by creating overloads and having more mobility. It was good to understand these things and to have time to implement one or two ideas. It's not easy to do that in a normal week, but when you have two weeks then it's possible.

"They are really efficient at home, they can create chances in many ways. They are really proactive, good side with good players and good experience through their coaching staff. I don't understand why they struggle away from home but it's at Craven Cottage so it is not the main topic for this weekend.

"A tough challenge, we know in this Premier League that we can't play an easy game. It doesn't exist."

"[Marco] is really good. You can feel quality of the organisation, the flexibility of the system, the way he can manage the different options. The first half against Arsenal was brilliant. They deserved to score. It's not just about players, it's about coaching as well and that is really clear."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/11/22/sunderland/1242129-regis-le-bris-cautious-of-efficient-and-proactive-fulham.html

[WhiteJC]

How Fulham BEAT Sunderland: Sunderland Preview
Sunderland at home. How do Fulham claim a massive three points against the Premier League's promoted hot shots? Let's find out.

How Sunderland Play

Out of Possession


Sunderland in a 4–4–2, pressing high

A high flying pressing style that implements a want to go man to man with opponents characterise how the black cats play, but it's the Mackems ruthlessness and quick decision making that has seen this style become successful at the Premier League level.

While Sunderland are no doubt ruthless, they press efficiently too — using press triggers to target the best times to put opponents under the pressing cosh. In Fulham's case, I'd target Calvin Bassey and Sander Berge as possible trigger targets.


Sunderland's deeper setup: a 5–4–1

When pressing high SAFC push in a 4–4–2, but when in front or pushed deeper by a sustained period of possession, the Black Cats' look to sit deeper in a 5–4–1, often funnelling opponents wide to force crosses into the box — something Sunderland's centre halves are more than happy to deal with.

In Possession

The name of the game for Sunderland, is direct attacking. Moving the ball quickly.

Granit Xhaka often drops into the back line to spray passes out wide, as does Omar Alderete, to technical wingers in 1v1 opportunities.

Those technical wingers provide the lifeblood of the Black Cats' attacking tact, often whipping balls into the physically threatening, Wilson Isidor, with onrushing wing backs helping create previously mentioned 1v1 opportunities or cross balls in themselves.


Focus on wide play, and crossed balls into Wilson Isidor. Granit Xhaka often used to play sweeping balls into wingers with a 1v1 opportunity — courtesy of the overlapping wing back.

While the former Zenit centre forward is frequently a target from out wide, Isidor provides the perfect out ball for when the red and white stripes are facing a suffocating press.

Regis Le Bris' side setup expansively for a side that were in the second tier last season. The categorisation of inside, and outside of possession phases is counter intuitive to the fact that the former Lorient boss looks to merge the phases with one another.

The Keys to Victory: Where to Exploit Sunderland
Beating the press is ultimately where this game will be won and loss. If Fulham can't play their way out of trouble, and have no option of a productive out ball to Raul Jimenez, we'll make it an eight games stretch with just one win.

Sunderland's propensity to push opponents out wide leave the obvious answer of wide production as a possible avenue to attacking success for Marco's men. But with Raul Jimenez injured, but still, trekking half way across the world to play in friendlies for Mexico, I can't see Raul winning many duels against a very physical Sunderland defence.

Fulham need a slick approach centrally. Alex Iwobi must start centrally, Josh King's Everton cameo should assure him a start too.

Use Iwobi as your primary ball carrier, get Josh King moving into those half spaces, with Ryan Sessegnon and Kenny Tete overlapping on the winger too, and Fulham may find some joy this afternoon.

How Should Fulham Lineup?
Leno, Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Reed, Iwobi, King, Wilson, Kevin, Raul

Cuenca comes in for an out of form Calvin Bassey, who's low on confidence after missing a massive penalty for the Super Eagles in mid-week.

Sasa Lukic is out through accumulating five yellow cards this campaign, which discounts any possible Serbian inclusion. Harrison Reed is the closest thing Fulham have to an out and out number six if you ask me. Does Sander Berge's form warrant another start? Not for me.

Josh King's superb Everton cameo earns him a start — the man is the creative lifeblood of this Fulham team — King must start.



More Pain for Fulham?
Finding the mix of ball playing ability with midfield steel to contend with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki has proved to be Fulham's kryptonite in recent weeks. I expect it could be the same here.

Do Fulham have the midfield tenacity to win a midfield battle against a Xhaka led midfield? I don't think so. Do Fulham have the striker to provide an out ball and a threat in the duel? Not at the minute.

It doesn't bode well, does it?

Regardless, the three fixtures after Sunderland are: Spurs, City, and Palace. Without a win today and Fulham's terrible run could stretch well into December, by which point, Forest and West Ham would have likely gained ground on the Whites.

If we don't win today, things could get toxic — let's hope we do. Another must win. COYW!



https://medium.com/@LondonsOriginal/how-fulham-beat-sunderland-sunderland-preview-9634220eaf0a

[WhiteJC]