Can Fulham Plug The Gaps Against Manchester City?

After earning promotion via the Championship play-offs last season it is fair to say that Fulham’s top flight honeymoon period has most definitely come to an end, the Cottagers have lost their last three league outings while conceding 12 goals into the mix.

And things don’t get much better when you look at how the club have fared defensively in their first 10 league games this season. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men have conceded an eye watering 28 goals during that period, an average of 2.8 per game. Something that in any currency has to be considered as a real relegation concern.

If you were a Fulham fan and were trying to look at the glass being half full then at least you could point to the fact that they do have something of a goal threat. At the same time though, it is apparent that all their hard work in the final third is being undone by their defensive woes.

Tonight sees them in them Carabao Cup action with a place in the Quarter-finals at stake. However, life certainly does not get any easier as they make the trip to the Etihad to face a Manchester City side who got the better of Tottenham on Monday night.

And even if it is a well changed Manchester City side then they will still go into this game as heavy favourites to move into the last eight of the competition, something that points to it being a long night for a Fulham side low on confidence at present.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s men arguably has to be admired for the fact that he is sticking to his principles, but now you get the feeling that he needs to install some pragmatism into what is a Fulham side that is lacking any notable defensive discipline.

If that does not turn out to be the case then you get the feeling that whatever starting eleven that Pep Guardiola names will be smelling blood as they look to get the job done in front of their own fans. It’s going to take either a very brave or bold person to bet against them doing so.