Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa on Newcastle’s Big Test in Pre-Match Presser

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Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke ahead of Saturday’s Premier League Matchweek 10 game against Newcastle at Craven Cottage, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 7 November. Fulham are 15th with 9 points from 9 games, two points behind 13th-placed Newcastle.

His main themes were chance creation, finishing and the need to keep growing as a team. He also described Newcastle as a “very difficult” match.

Pride in his players

“I’m so happy and so proud of my players.”

What he said

Arbeloa opened with praise for his squad. Fulham’s most recent game was a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday 31 October, and they have lost two and drawn two of their last six matches.

What he meant

The tone is supportive rather than critical, even though Fulham have won two of their nine league games. He appears to be protecting squad morale and backing the way the team plays.

Fulham have lost four league matches this season and conceded 11 goals, but Arbeloa chose to lead with the effort of his players.

Creating chances, not conceding them

“It’s about creating chances, not conceding chances, and playing in the way that we believe, and I think we have done really well.”

What he said

Arbeloa framed his team’s performances around the chances they create and the chances they allow, and said he believes they have done well on that measure.

What he meant

He is judging Fulham on how they play as well as on results. The league record shows why that matters: nine goals scored and 11 conceded in nine games, with 15th place in the table.

Fulham scored one goal or fewer in each of their last six matches, five goals in total. They also conceded five in that run, so the margins have been narrow.

Keep believing in the approach

“I think I would be more worried if we don’t create chances, but we are creating chances, so we need to keep believing in the way that we are playing”

What he said

Arbeloa said that not creating chances would worry him more than the results do. He said Fulham are creating them, and that the team must stay committed to its approach.

What he meant

This reads as a refusal to change course. Fulham have lost four of nine league games, but he is pointing to chance creation as evidence the plan is working.

The recent results are mixed. Fulham won 1-0 against Hull and 1-0 at Coventry, then lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace and drew at Villa. A single goal has decided most of those games.

Finishing

“We need to keep working on our finishing.”

What he said

Arbeloa named finishing as the area where Fulham need to improve, and said the work on it will continue.

What he meant

The admission fits the numbers. Fulham have scored 9 goals in 9 league games, and their last six matches produced five goals, never more than one in a game.

With Ryan Sessegnon out because of a red card, Arbeloa has one fewer option for the game. He did not say in the quotes provided how the team will change.

Newcastle and a team still growing

“We have a very difficult match (against Newcastle) on Saturday at home, and yes, we need to continue growing as a team, because we are just starting.”

What he said

Arbeloa called the Newcastle game very difficult and said Fulham must keep growing as a team because “we are just starting”.

What he meant

The comment on “just starting” suggests he sees this as a long project and does not want a mid-table position to define it. Newcastle are 13th with 11 points, three wins and 15 goals conceded.

Newcastle have lost their last two games, both against Everton: 3-1 away on Thursday 29 October and 1-0 at home on Monday 2 November. They are without Jaouen and Miley (muscle injuries), Fernandez-Pardo (illness) and Livramento (knee injury). Arbeloa did not mention those absences in the quotes provided.

Confidence check: Measured

Arbeloa sounds measured. He is positive about his players and the style of play, and he calls Newcastle a “very difficult” opponent. He does not promise a result, and he admits that finishing needs work.

The table explains the caution. Fulham are 15th with two wins from nine, and they have scored one goal or fewer in each of their last six matches. A pattern of narrow results leaves little room for a lapse.

There are reasons for him to be encouraged. Newcastle are 13th, have lost their last two matches, and have four players missing through injury or illness. Fulham are at home, but they will be without Sessegnon.

How to watch

Fulham vs Newcastle is not shown live on UK television: Saturday 3pm kick-offs fall in the UK broadcast blackout.

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