Arbeloa 'doesn't feel fear' but pressure increases after loss

Six games, no wins and bottom of the table - it is fair to say it has been a difficult start to life as a Premier League manager for Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

The Cottagers were on the cusp of victory at Ipswich on Saturday but the hosts scored twice after the 88th minute to snatch a 2-1 win.

It is the second successive game in the league that Fulham have led approaching the final few minutes, only to concede.

It means they have just two points to show so far, increasing the pressure on Arbeloa to improve his side's fortunes.

"I never worry about my position," said former Real Madrid manager Arbeloa.

You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You have to work, take the decision and you need to show confidence to your players.

"For me I am so happy with many things that they are doing. I know it is not easy for them.

"It's not about my position, it is about Fulham's position. That is the most important thing. Obviously it is just six games, but it is true we need points."

When Marco Silva was appointed Fulham boss in 2021 he brought a stability to the club that ensured they were competitive in the Premier League, without ever really being in danger of being relegated.

Silva departed in the summer to become head coach of Benfica and in appointing Arbeloa as his replacement, Fulham were undoubtedly taking a bit of a gamble.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid player arrived with limited managerial experience at senior level, having had a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid from January until May this year.

The biggest problem Fulham have had under him is conceding late goals, with his side having let in goals in the final 15 minutes in four of their six Premier League matches.

Despite that, Arbeola was defiant after the Ipswich defeat, insisting he is right man for the job at Fulham, and he can handle the pressure of needing to turn things around.

"Maybe you don't know me but I played for the best team in world. I have coached the best team in the world," he said.

"Maybe you don't know, but just to let you know, that pressure is part of my life since I was a kid.

"So, it is normal in football. It is normal for players, it is normal for coaches and everybody that is around a team.

"I think pressure is something that is important for me and I like it."

The Ipswich match marked the first of three games in a row where Fulham face a newly promoted side.

They host Hull on Saturday, 17 October before travelling to Coventry a week later and failure to win at least one of those fixtures would increase the pressure further on Arbeloa.

"We need to take a hard look at ourselves," said Ryan Sessegnon, who had put Fulham ahead at Ipswich.

"It's a bit of mentality thing at the moment. We need to try and demand more from ourselves.

"We need to set higher standards for ourselves because it's going to be a hard season."

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