Last season, Fulham avoided relegation amidst the chaotic end to Jean Tigana's reign at the club.
With Chris Coleman continuing the job he temporarily took up, The Cottagers will be hoping for a more successful and settled campaign this year. As they kick off the new season at home to Middlesbrough, the rookie boss is targeting a winning start to silence the doubters around the club.
Coleman said: "The first game of the season is so important, and in my opinion it's not so much about the performance and more about getting those first three points in the bag. Middlesbrough's away record last season wasn't that good so it's a great opportunity for us to get off to a good start."
Chris Coleman has had to be cautious with his transfer policy, but insists that he would rather sign fewer players than bring in the wrong ones: "We could have signed players if we wanted, but I won't sign players just for the sake of it just to keep people happy or just because everybody else is signing people. They have to be right for us.
"We're all aware there's one or two positions where we need to strengthen and we're doing all we can to do just that. But whoever we bring in has to be right for the club. There is money to spend, but it has to be on the right players - otherwise the whole team suffers and I won't allow that to happen."
In January, Boro's trip to Loftus Road was typically disappointing for, as they lost 1-0, with Sean Davis scoring the winner in the first half.
 That was their eighth consecutive away defeat in the Barclaycard Premiership, and Steve McClaren will be eager to make sure that they do not suffer from such severe travel sickness this year.
Captain Gareth Southgate believes that their pre-season has gone well enough to get them off to a good start: "I think we're all happy with the improvement the team has shown. Obviously we need the matches to get the fitness levels up and we're playing quite well, which is a bonus."
McClaren's transfer plans have not been entirely successful this summer, with the likes of David Dunn, Brett Emerton and most crucially Geremi opting to sign for other clubs. The loss of the Cameroon midfielder, who was such a success on loan at the Riverside last season, will be keenly felt, especially if his plan to sign Gaizka Mendieta on loan does not come to fruition. The former England coach is also keen on Fulham's Sean Davis, though will not get to cast an eye over him at the weekend as he is out injured until September.
Both sides will want to improve on last season's performances in some way, and although opening day defeats are far from a disaster given how long there is to go, a victory is always good for morale. If Fulham can get a convincing win, their fans may start to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel, while 'Boro will be looking to get their first away points of the season on the board nice and early, and improve upon last season's dismal away record.
Source: 4thegame
|
Craven Cottage on
Loftus Road
-
Premiership 16 Aug 03 |
Fulham |
Boro |
Div
Avg |
| Games Played |
38 |
38 |
38 |
| GOAL ATTEMPTS |
| Goals |
41 |
48 |
50 |
| Ave Goals Per Game |
1.08 |
1.26 |
1.32 |
| Shots (excluding blocked shots) |
421 |
358 |
420 |
| Ave Shots Per Game |
11 |
9 |
11 |
| Ave Shots on Target Per Game |
5 |
4 |
5 |
| % Shots On Target |
43% |
41% |
44% |
| % Goals To Shots |
10% |
13% |
12% |
| PASSING |
| Short Passes |
10555 |
10235 |
9761 |
| Long Passes |
4601 |
4354 |
4515 |
| Total Passes |
15156 |
14589 |
14276 |
| Ave Passes Per Game |
399 |
384 |
376 |
| % Overall Passes Completed |
72% |
75% |
72% |
Ave passes completed
per game
|
287 |
288 |
270 |
| CROSSING |
| Total Crosses |
817 |
837 |
881 |
| Ave Crosses Per Game |
22 |
22 |
23 |
| Crosses Completed |
25% |
23% |
25% |
Ave cross completion
per game
|
5 |
5 |
6 |
| DEFENDING |
| Goals Conceded |
50 |
44 |
50 |
| Ave Goals Conceded Per Game |
1.32 |
1.16 |
1.32 |
| Tackles |
1204 |
978 |
1076 |
| Ave Tackles Per Game |
32 |
26 |
28 |
| Tackles Won % |
74% |
73% |
72% |
Ave tackles completed
per game
|
23 |
19 |
20 |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
1652 |
1700 |
1734 |
| Ave Blocks, etc., Per Game |
43 |
45 |
46 |
| DISCIPLINE |
| Fouls |
548 |
52 |
535 |
| Ave Fouls Per Game |
14 |
14 |
14 |
| Yellow Cards |
5 |
49 |
58 |
| Fouls per yellow |
9 |
11 |
9 |
| Red Cards |
6 |
5 |
4 |
| stats from opta |
|