2005-06 record
League 12th
FA Cup 3rd round
Carling Cup 3rd round
FULHAM’S SUPPORTERS WILL DOUBTLESS BE breathing a sigh of relief that at least two of the three promoted clubs look good bets to go straight back down because the forecast is for another season of struggle at Craven Cottage.
Chris Coleman, Fulham’s bright young manager, will be hoping for a repeat of the home form that eventually helped the club to climb to twelfth position last season, but it was his side’s poor away form that gave considerable cause for concern and he will hope for a drastic improvement this time around.
In the event that Steed Malbranque leaves the club — the Frenchman appears to have burnt his bridges with Coleman — much will be asked of Jimmy Bullard, a £2.5 million signing from Wigan Athletic.
Malbranque’s presence in the side has enriched Fulham, but if he does go — and that has to be the best option for both parties now — Coleman will hope to reinvest that money given the relatively tight transfer budget he has been forced to work with this summer.
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Pape Bouba Diop, the midfield player, remains an integral part of Coleman’s plans and, assuming he can stay fit, will provide a stable foundation on which to build.
Manager Chris Coleman was reported to be close to getting the sack last season but managed to lift Fulham out of the relegation dogfight to finish 12th. The feeling persists that owner Mohamed al-Fayed does not see Coleman as the man to move the club forward
Player to watch Zat Knight was twice capped by England in the summer of 2005 and quickly forgotten again but the 26-year-old is a strong and reliable central defender for his club, and his performances will need to be resolute if Fulham are to enjoy a productive season
In an ideal world Coleman will hope Bullard’s workrate and enthusiasm can prove infectious and Fulham can at least achieve another mid-table position before making strides into the top 10
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS Simon Elliott (calf, unknown), Steed Malbranque (groin, unknown)
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PRE-SEASON
Not a great deal of transfer activity, but Fulham made it clear that they intend to hit the ground running when the season starts by playing tough friendlies against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Real Madrid
TICKET SALES
Season-ticket sales are 2 per cent up compared with this time last year
If they were a historical figure they would be... Benito Mussolini
Cuddly on the outside, not pretty to watch and likely to be strung up when head north