At the end of October 2018, I lamented in my blog that Fulham's manager Slavisa Jokanovic was 'no nearer finding the line-up that can cope with Premier League opposition'.
This followed a 1-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, in which the Whites managed just one shot on target and their captain Kevin McDonald was sent off. Substitute Aboubakar Kamara nearly joined McDonald for behaviour that caused the BBC's Jonathan Pearce to grumble: "This is the Premier League we are talking about, not the Sunday morning football."
Ominously, Fulham had made a better start that season than in 2020.
The first six matches had included one victory and two draws, compared with the current record of one point from a possible 18. However, the Bournemouth game was one of seven consecutive defeats that destroyed Jokanovic's credibility and foreshadowed relegation.
Last Saturday's home match with Crystal Palace brought more disappointment for Fulham fans.
The irrepressible Wilfred Zaha's dazzling footwork created an eighth minute goal for Jairo Riedewald. Striving to respond, Ademola Lookman struck the woodwork twice but Zaha continued to torment the home defence, fortunately missing one chance of heading an open goal. In the 64th minute, Michy Batshuayi sent a low cross into the six-yard area that was deftly converted by a sliding Zaha.
Goal search
Scott Parker sent on Kamara, presumably in search of goals but once again the Frenchman let down both himself and the team. His wild challenge on Eberechi Eze initially earned a yellow card until VAR intervened to increase the punishment.
Slow motion ensured that justice was done. At least there were no idiots present to applaud him as he departed.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic still out of form, Tom Cairney went in search of a goal and secured one in added time with one of his stylish long-range curlers.
After the match, Parker conceded that he had been outfoxed by Roy Hodgson.
He pointed out that his new signings were still settling into the team, but surely that was bound to happen – Jokanovic had the same problem two years ago.
The only alternative would be to rely on last season's Championship players, who would also have struggled. Fulham have also been fortunate with injuries; Palace had suffered three times as many this season. Other statistics show that the Whites are expert at crosses, yet poor at converting them. Fans do not need to be told that their style is over-elaborate.
It has a been a troubled start to the season. Thirty-two fixtures remain, many of them daunting. Have we a game-changer like Wilfred Zaha in the squad?
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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