Just look at Aston Villa – Martin O’Neill’s departure right before the season started threw a monkey wrench into fans’ outlooks, but also rendered every pundit’s guide as dated. The best example of this happening was on Fox Soccer Channel, when instead of airing their previously taped preview segment on Aston Villa, they instead ran a shoddily put-together voice-over analysis of O’Neill’s sudden exit. Basically, there was no preview.
Secondly, take a look at the table. Is anyone beginning to worry about Stoke and Everton’s torrid start? Is anyone making a big deal about Liverpool’s current 13th place spot? Or congratulating Aston Villa for being fourth? Probably not. So this isn’t any 11th hour predictions.
Lastly, had I written a preview of Fulham before the season started there would have been no mention of Moussa Dembélé, who has been a revelation so far this brief season. Nor would I write about the departure of Paul Konchesky, who has just shy of 100 appearances with the club, and is third-longest tenured defender with the club behind Chris Baird by one day and Aaron Hughes by just a few weeks.
Thankfully I am afforded an international break that should give all a chance to really reflect on where this season is headed…
Which, frankly, I don’t know where it is going. A top 10 finish should be on the docket (had it not been for Europa, Fulham could have easily achieved 9th last season instead of settling anonymous for 12th) but in all honesty spots 6 to 10 are completely up for grabs.
Aston Villa are still without a full time manager and didn’t sign anyone this transfer window. Okay, fine, they did bring in Stephen Ireland, but that was a trade for James Milner.
Liverpool will be steadied by Roy Hodgson, but are still a mess. Across town, Everton currently have zero points (despite it still being early and starting slow each of the past three years) and did not bolster their ever injury-prone lineup in any formidable capacity.
Birmingham City have reloaded, but can they prevent tapering off in the second half like they did last season?
Oh, and does anyone think Blackburn will repeat a Top 10 finish? No. Let’s move on.
I’m not saying Fulham are a lock for sixth spot, but the deficiencies of the clubs above us are, to me, more glaring this year than any other I can remember. Perhaps then having a maverick like Hughes as manager will be a blessing for us.
We know that the next step for Fulham is to improve our away form — not just by actually winning, but by playing to win. Our expectations on the road had become completely stale under Roy, yet now they are beginning to blossom. The goals we conceded against Blackpool were not defensive lapses in of themselves, but because we were pressing forward. Progress, no?
Our goalkeeper situation is currently questionable – unconfirmed “reports” are that David Stockdale is out for two months with ligament damage and Mark Schwarzer was “injured” only because he wanted to go to Arsenal. Well, thankfully, he’s still at SW6.
At the back, our defense is unchanged beyond Konchesky’s departure. Thankfully we signed Salcido who should be an apt replacement. Once, or if, Senderos recovers we have a solid international as cover in the center. In the middle, I’m worried that production from Duff, Davies, and Murphy will decline this year because of their age, but thankfully Dembele’s arrival and Etuhu becoming an offensive weapon has allowed more flexibility for Zoltan Gera and Clint Dempsey.
Up front is still our biggest question mark, but something I think will Hughes will sort out. If it was such an issue, Hughes would have most definitely signed a striker this offseason; and he didn’t.
Lastly, a Cup run should be essential. Thankfully, we have the man for the job as Mark Hughes has been to two Carling Cup semifinals and one FA Cup semifinal as a manager, and won 4 FA Cups and 3 League Cups as a player (with an additional appearance as runner-up in both).
This season may never cap the joys of our European exploits last season. But that’s okay with me. I know this season will have it’s share of ecstasy too.
Category: Mark Hughes, Team News
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LATEST COMMENTSKonchesky sold to Liverpool
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Serhiy: I hope he can help Liverpool improve. Fulham draw 2-2 with Blackpool's players, and fans
timmyg: Mike -- it's a fifa-sanctioned international break. Most leagues will adhere to it while others, lik ... [read more] Fulham draw 2-2 with Blackpool's players, and fans
Mike: Uneducated Yank here. Why no EPL Games this weekend? No true complaint, more time to watch college f ... [read more] Fulham sign Mexican international Calcido
Ernie: you guys can count on this guy playing his heart out for the team Fulham draw 2-2 with Blackpool's players, and fans
Bilet: http://vimeo.com/14516632 Fulham sign Mexican international Calcido
Brenton: While it's a great signing for really cheap, Salcido is far from unknown. He was the star of the Mex ... [read more] Port Vale Highlights
twang: Many thanks!
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