Three games, three defeats
Alvaro Arbeloa is still waiting for his first Premier League win. Fulham went down on Sunday to Crystal Palace (2-3) at Craven Cottage, a third defeat in as many league games since the former Real Madrid defender took over.
The numbers are brutal. Chelsea first, beaten 3-2 at Craven Cottage. Sunderland next, winning 1-0. Crystal Palace on Sunday, and the same old story as against the Blues: three goals shipped at home.
Zero points after three matches is about as bad as it gets for a manager coming into English football.
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The coach stands by his approach
Arbeloa is not shifting his stance one bit. “I believe in my ideas,” he said after the game. Short answer, but it tells you plenty about a man who is refusing to tear up his plan after just three weeks.
He is not pretending there is no issue, though. “Our defence is very open,” the Spaniard admitted. Hard to argue with that: nine goals conceded in three games, including six at home against two London sides.
He finished with an apology of sorts to the club and the fans: “I would have liked things to go better for the club and the supporters.”
The imbalance looks structural rather than accidental. Fulham are scoring, they are creating, they are making chances. They are just conceding more than they can afford.
A gamble already under scrutiny
Arbeloa arrives with a playing background at Real Madrid and Liverpool, plus a coaching record built in Madrid’s youth ranks. The jump to a Premier League dugout was bold. It is costing him quickly in the opening month.
The question is not yet about his future. It is more about how long Fulham are willing to give him to fix a side that entertains going forward and falls apart at the back. Three games do not make a season, but they do set a tone.
Craven Cottage hosts Brighton next. Another home crowd, another back four to protect.
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