Fulham - Midseason report
Thursday, 17 Jan 2008 12:48
A look back over the first half of the 2007/08 season, and a look forward to what is still to come.
The season so far
Fulham's main problem is not being able to last for 90 minutes. Like a sprinter that fades towards the end, the Cottagers have not been able to build on their generally good first-half performances.
They took the lead at Arsenal on the opening day, only to be pegged back and eventually lose the game 2-1. If a result summed up their season that would be it.
Fulham lie 19th in the table, five points adrift of safety. And having secured no away wins it looks as if the second half of the season will be just as bad. Predicted to struggle, the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez seemed madness right before the busy Christmas period but with Roy Hodgson at the helm the club have a highly-rated and experienced manager capable of turning around the second half of their season.
Danny Murphy's influence is beginning to show signs of improvement and with the January transfer window looming an early exit from the FA Cup at Bristol Rovers (should they lose the replay) may be a blessing in disguise as they look to turn their second-half hoodoo into their saving grace.
So far the season has undoubtedly fallen short of expectations, some Fulham fans were hoping for a promising young manager to build a side with several new recruits but instead a relegation scrap is on the cards.
The new signings
Lawrie Sanchez signed what seemed to be half of the Northern Ireland team during the summer and David Healy has failed to capture his international form that wooed his former manager.
Chris Baird has produced average performances in defence while Seol Ki-Hyeon has barely played a game since his transfer from Reading.
Fulham fans were desperate to get Jimmy Bullard into the side but a bad injury has left the energetic midfielder sidelined for much of the season.
Clint Dempsey began the season well and along with Simon Davies has been the biggest goal threat, although he lacks the class to keep Fulham from the drop. Fulham's new signings have not only lacked quality, but any promise for the future seems unlikely from a crop of players not rated by the new manager.
Star man
For a side that has taken just 15 points from 22 games a star man is hard to come by at Craven Cottage. Clint Dempsey, who has scored six goals, could lay claim to the crown although most fans would admit he is not the type of player to keep you in the Premier League.
Anti Niemi, however, is proving to be a reliable shot-stopper and coupled with the fact that Fulham have lost many games by a single goal - and usually a late one - his form could be crucial.
If Dempsey can hit the back of one net while Niemi stops everything else at the other end, Fulham could find themselves creeping out the relegation zone but Hodgson must rely on an improved team performance in the second half of the season rather than just two players.
Fulham are unlikely to sign a Carlos Tevez to help them perform miracles but a January arrival would start ahead of most in the race to be Fulham's player of the season.
Manager approval rating
Lawrie Sanchez: 2/10
The reign of Laurie Sanchez was a disaster for Fulham, some decent signings that failed to show their worth and Sanchez's insistence that they would turn it around could only lead to the sack for the former Northern Ireland boss.
He talked a good game but Fulham need results and if Hodgson has money and luck in January he may be able to conjure a trick or two for the Cottagers.
Relegation is on the cards and a manager of Hodgson's calibre is unlikely to remain at the club if they go down but he will fight to the end, if only to showcase his coaching talents for any other boards on the lookout for a new boss at the end of the season.
Hodgson has talked about new players for a varied style of play but after the Sanchez era Fulham fans will be holding their breath before backing the boss. If they go down he will be added to the list of those that tried; if he keeps them up he can expect a hero's reception for next season.
January wish-list
A very public interest in Marlon King has been expressed by the management.
King would bring much needed goals to the west London outfit but Watford's reluctance to let him go may result in a stalemate. Even if they do decide to cash in, there is no guarantee he would opt to join a side doomed for relegation while Watford maintain a promotion challenge.
Jason Roberts could be available from Blackburn after the striker admitted his future is "out of his hands" this week. Roberts could give Fulham some strength up front and a different threat.
Hodgson wants variety in his midfield and feels the likes of the returning Jimmy Bullard, Davies and Murphy are too similar to offer Fulham a plan B when plan A fizzles out midway through the second half.
A box-to-box central midfielder is what the Fulham fans crave. Robbie Savage would have added some bite to the Fulham midfield but Paul Jewell got there first. Fulham need some experienced relegation campaigners to help them beat the drop and hold on until the end of games.
Richard Aylen
Club history, honours and statistics
Return to club news