By Matthew Day ⋅ July 18, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Fulham, Premier League

On a beautiful summer’s evening, something that has been lacking in England lately, Lawrie Sanchez led his new-look Fulham side out for the first time in a friendly match with League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

It was no more than a fitness exercise for a squad playing for the first time since May and Sanchez fielded a completely different team in the second half as he starts the process of working out his best starting eleven. Victoria Road provided a charming setting for a competitive encounter; the hosts are preparing for life in the Football League after promotion from the Conference at the end of last season while the visitors are extensively rebuilding following a flirt with relegation.

Sanchez rescued the Cottagers after replacing Chris Coleman and has already spent more than £18m, establishing a greater British feel to the squad. Four of the six signings are from Northern Ireland and all have come from English clubs with the latest boss under chairman Mohamed Al Fayed claiming, “The policy is to sign players who know what English football is. It’s a shock to the system otherwise.”

A thrilling first period made up for the grim, untidy second with Dag & Red matching their illustrious opponents. Chaotic defending almost allowed the home crowd to celebrate an opening goal – Zat Knight confirming vast improvements in his defending are still needed when turning his back on a loose ball – but Fulham intimated their superiority just before the break as a fluent move was concluded by blistering strike from £6m signing Diomansy Kamara. It was all change for the second 45 with eleven new faces and though Fulham dictated proceedings, they lacked the cutting edge to find a second.

Fulham need Kamara to score at least 15 Premier League goals if they are to earn a top-ten place

Undoubtedly, if Dag & Red can play with the same verve demonstrated in the opening half, they will prove a success in League Two yet for their opposition, further work is essential – especially in defence – and the team lacked synergy, though this will come with time.

Fulham are undergoing a period of transition and Sanchez has his work cut out to ensure the much-changed squad can proficiently perform together by mid-August. He stated that a top-ten finish is achievable but for that to happen, Fulham need Kamara to score at least 15 Premier League goals, for the defence and away form to improve considerably, and crucially for the majority of his summer imports to be a hit. Kamara, Chris Baird and David Healy have had little or no top flight experience while the trio of other entrants are also gambles, though evidently Sanchez believes British is best for the rigours of the Premier League.

After a trip to the Withdean Stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion, on Friday evening, Sanchez and his side will face their first genuine test in Hong Kong. Fulham are participating in the Barclays Asia Trophy and face Portsmouth – the team Kamara rejected to join the West Londoners – in the semi-final and could then meet Liverpool in the final. A final, tasty friendly at QPR awaits in early August before the new season begins nine days later at the Emirates Stadium.

With it comes renewed optimism and confidence that Sanchez can repeat the heroics of the 2003/4 campaign and secure a place in the top half, though he is heavily relying on the British contingent to perform outstandingly and his long-ball, direct tactics to be effective. Al Fayed has finally put his money where his mouth is and accordingly will be looking for immediate results. Otherwise, Sanchez may feel the full force of his stern regime, one that can be brutal if the long-standing chairman is at all displeased. Replicating the feats of Reading and Blackburn would be a surprise, but a place inside the top-ten is mandatory if Sanchez’s hefty spending is to be vindicated.

Can Fulham beat the odds and finish inside the top half? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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