Arbeloa: We Made Mistakes, but Fulham Are on the Right Track

Fulham failed to win any of their first six Premier League matches and sit at the bottom of the table. The team lost 3-2 to Chelsea in the opening week of the season. They then lost by the same score to newly promoted Crystal Palace. At Ipswich, they conceded two goals in the final minutes and left the pitch defeated.

Alvaro Arbeloa believes it is time to make a major change to his team. Fulham, who won their last two matches by a single goal, have tightened up their defence and started to play a more balanced game. The head coach accepts that the team has struggled in open play. However, he says he is happy with their ball control and their development in transition play.

Arbeloa said his players need to show flexibility in their tactical approach according to their quality. He stressed that they cannot control what the opponent will do, but they can correct their own mistakes. In his view, sometimes it is necessary to press aggressively and at other times to drop into a low block. The head coach said the process will have its ups and downs, but he believes they are moving in the right direction.

The numbers also support the improvement at the back. Fulham conceded an average of 1.69 expected goals per match in their first six games of the season. That rate was not sustainable in the long run. In the last two matches, however, the team conceded just 0.67 expected goals in total, a reduction of around 80%.

Fulham's next test is an away trip to Aston Villa. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday at 20.00. The kick-off time is 19.45.