Why the festive period could make or break our season
Written by Charlie Shaw on 21st November 2024
Much has been made about Fulham sitting seventh as we approach December, and with the busy festive period approaching, I believe these next eight games will define our season.
Next up
Starting at home against a struggling Wolves side, with Gary O’Neil on the cusp of his P45, Fulham can’t afford to underestimate a side desperate for points after a first win of the season against fellow relegation rivals Southampton.
Wolves’ position and performances have dropped since our last meeting last March, but the Molineux outfit isn’t a team without quality. Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia provide a balance of creativity and goalscoring potency, and both proved it as they scored last time out against Southampton.
Familiar faces, Mario Lemina and Andre Trinade, contribute a surplus of midfield industry, with star man Joao Gomes putting up the most tackles in the Premier League all season.
The marquee sale of Max Kilman has impacted this once pragmatic O’Neil backline, as the Wolves rearguard has conceded the most goals in the league so far this season. In spite of a selection of attacking spark and midfield steel, this Wolves team seems rudderless under the stewardship of former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil. If Fulham are serious about pushing into European places this season, Wolves at home has to be an assured three points.
A chance to hurtEuropean rivals?
Following Wolves, Fulham travel to North London to face an inconsistent Tottenham team, shaken by a loss at home to Ipswich. With whispers of dressing room discontent, Marco Silva’s men have nothing to lose.
Spurs away is by no means an easy fixture, but a buoyant Fulham side should see a trip to N17 as nothing but an opportunity to, with a positive early start, hear the groans build across the new White Hart Lane. With two wins in three, Marco Silva against Ange Postecoglou is a battle Fulham should feel comfortable in.
In a similarly testing fixture, Fulham host a high-flying Brighton under the lights at Craven Cottage.
After 11 games, Brighton are a point above the Whites and will no doubt prove a tough test, as the youthful Fabian Hurzeler looks to increase both his and his team’s rising stock.
Silva’s side would be forgiven for some precautionary optimism, as Fulham have a fantastic record against the Seagulls. We’ve become Brighton’s modern bogey team; we’re unbeaten against Tony Bloom’s men in the Premier League era.
Another positive result against the former Withdean residents would see Fulham take points off a direct European rival, a massive opportunity for a mathematical and morale boost against credible opposition.
Two free hits
As Christmas edges closer, we face title challengers Arsenal at the Cottage before heading north to tackle Liverpool at Anfield.
Both of these are games that Fulham will likely lose, but hopefully we’ll be competitive. With this said, an impressive haul of four points against the Gunners last year will hopefully breed confidence.
Former Hale End products Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi will no doubt look to show the North Londoners what they’re missing, and Marco Silva will no doubt look to continue to prove he has Mikel Arteta’s number.
Time to take care of business
Russell Martin has been hounded by many in the opening periods of the season, as he refuses to move away from his expansive style of play he showcased in the Championship. It’s reminiscent of Slavisa Jokanovic’s 2018/19 Fulham side. And we know how that ended.
The much maligned Martin is seeing pressure mount around his position, and I wouldn’t guarantee the former Swansea gaffer is in the dugout by mid-December. Regardless of any new manager bounce, Fulham should be looking to dispatch Southampton at ease, sending a rambunctious Fulham into a Boxing Day West London derby…
A bright Christmas?
The most important game to fans during this stretch – possibly across the season – is looking like a different proposition than it has the previous two seasons. Enzo Maresca unfortunately has Fulham’s other team playing some slick stuff down at Walham Green, losing just two of their last 14, netting 39 goals in the process.
Fulham’s resolute defensive unit will have to be on their A game, but the likes of Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have proved this season that Chelsea aren’t infallible.
Alongside this, Enzo Maresca’s forgotten near-collapse at Leicester last term suggests that maybe this inexperienced Chelsea side has a capacity to crumble under pressure. The pressure of a SW6 derby perhaps?
Tough Cherries to pop
Bournemouth may prove to be a much harder test than their A31 rivals, but at home once again, Fulham have to be looking to seize the opportunity of midtable opposition at the Cottage with both hands.
Calling Bournemouth midtable opposition may be seen to demean the South Coasters impressive start to season.
Andoni Iraola will be in the hunt of bettering Bournemouth’s historic points tally last season, as Cherries fans may have aspirations of European away days next season.
The ex-Rayo Vallecano boss has drawn much appraisal for the transformative tactical change Bournemouth have gone through since Gary O’Neil departed at the end of 2022/23.
Bournemouth could prove to be a tough test for Fulham, with notorious Champions League goal-getter Evanilson heading up a free-flowing attack, including the free-scoring Antoine Semenyo and once Fulham target, Justin Kluivert.
How will we fare?
A good haul of points against teams around Fulham, like Spurs Brighton and Bournemouth, while taking care of business, against lower-half opposition, like Wolves and Southampton, will set Fulham up to battle for a European birth come May.
12 points would most likely see Fulham maintain their position in the chase for European places around Christmas and New Year.
With Fulham in second place according to expected points at the time of writing, if we maintain our current level of performance, there’s no reason why this special Fulham side shouldn’t look to mix it across the outer reaches of Eastern Europe in 2025, with the games across the next month of play crucial in adding belief into the blend of this astute yet talented Silva squad.
If Fulham enter the new year with 30 points, the sky is the limit.
