The Fosse Way’s Hazzetta season preview - 4: Fulham to Liverpool
Part four of Harry Gregory’s opposition preview looks at Fulham, Ipswich and Liverpool - with a little self-reflection on Leicester City’s status too.
Fulham
Last season: 13th.
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 18th January / Away – 24th August
Fulham at times last season were very watchable but by equal measure also very forgettable. There was a five game spell around December where they scored seventeen goals. Incomings have slowed this summer excepting a record deal of Emile Smith-Rowe and Joao Palhinha’s departure to Bayern Munich plus first-teamers departing on frees suggests a ‘what next’ vibe for the Cottagers.
Away day scope
No ground in the Premier League is so beautifully located. Pitched on the banks of the River Thames. While there’s no stand out pub nearby, there are plenty positioned along the river to sit in a garden and hopefully take in some bank holiday sun before our fixture. If you wish to go a little bit further away, Hammersmith and Putney both have options.
Whilst walking down the Thames, pop your head into Fulham Palace House. Beautiful gardens to roam around.
Opposition meltdown?
Fulham supporters’ relationship with Shahid Khan and his son Tony has been a rollercoaster. The latter at times showed an all-time meddling influence and has gone public on claims about how he’s convinced players to stay at Fulham. Digital ticketing is a concern which they similarly share with all supporters this summer.
Points deduction
No – their gross spends appear sensible. The last two summers they have sold players for over £40 million and their gross spends don’t appear overly excessive.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Take your pick from Timothy Castagne who will probably play with more energy than any time of the 2022/23 season – let’s hope his offside trap is still as bad – and Calvin Bassey, an example of a Leicester academy player working their way back after being let go.
xR
A chance but a very slim chance. Their squad is a decent mix – it might be more mid-table mediocrity but they appear sound and free of issues.
You could have a Marco Silva blow up as seen elsewhere but they would have lots of other decent other options there. Super computer has 0% chance on any criteria.
Ipswich Town
Last season: 2nd (Championship)
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 17th May / Away - 2nd November
Last season, Ipswich were rather annoying. Their taste for a late goal or a deflection assisted goal frustrated but rather than luck, they were relentless in their aim. When the season was all finished, you simply had to put your hands up and say fair play. Now you question if they can keep that up. They really lack a striker of top flight quality but there’s lots of scope within their squad to improve further; it’s a good profile of younger players.
Away day scope
You rarely hear of Ipswich as an away day destination ranking high. Whilst in the Championship, you were forever ripped off by their ticket prices.
My sole visit was a very wet Easter Monday but having visited the town, it’s pleasant enough. There are a set of docks to visit but the surrounding villages and smaller towns of Suffolk are worth a visit; Lavenham, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds or further towards the coast.
Opposition meltdown?
Under new ownership, Ipswich have healed the rift between club and fans that came about from the Marcus Evans era.
Their ultra group, Blue Action, have had much debate about their location within Portman Road; they are currently in the corner of the Cobbold Stand rather than behind the goal and this ruins any atmosphere they create.
Points deduction
No – Ipswich were confident enough to outright publish their FFP calculation last year. They fall way short – they have spent more money than it might be perceived but nothing ridiculously expensive.
Likely opposition goalscorer
George Hirst. The whole experiment of his signature at Leicester via OH Leuven didn’t work out. Karma for playing the system to avoid pay Sheffield Wednesday a transfer fee. He never looked good enough in Leicester’s Royal Blue but has found himself an important part of the system Ipswich play.
xR
The middle of the pitch looks sound; the axis of Omari Hutchinson and Conor Chaplin will give headaches but the centre of defence and central forward positions look short at the moment.
A good go but probably not enough. It may be a cliché but a Luton type season looks very possible. Super computer agrees and has spitted out a 57% chance of relegation.
Leicester City
Last season: 1st (Championship)
A curious tale. A Championship winning team entering the top flight with a cloud of negativity above it. A burden of a forthcoming points deduction. The squad building lacks creativity with no new central midfielder or striker signed.
There has been a rhetoric that Steve Cooper wanted a few tweaks to the system or style of Maresca but the lack of structure and playing pattern in pre-season does not augur well.
Away day scope
N/A
Opposition meltdown?
Susan Whelan’s public admission at a Fans Consultative Committee that fan relations were not the best was hardly welcome. This suggested that any feeling they were out of touch or unaware of their decision was untrue.
Rather they knew the impact the decisions over the summer would make but did it anyway. They really did make some howlers as well.
Points deduction
A certainty. A case of when it takes place. Alongside that, the club are confident that they will comply for the next/latest three year period. A double punishment is a possibility.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Wout Faes – loves an own goal.
xR
Leicester City will need to achieve around 45 points because of the deduction. To give an idea for the last three seasons, that would achieve a 15th, 11th and 13th position.
Some graft for any newly promoted team. The super computer is pretty emphatic – 78% chance of relegation.
Liverpool
Last season: 3rd
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 19th April / Away - 26th December
A refreshingly quiet summer from Anfield. Arne Slot has arrived, started working with what he has to no big declarations and the expected summer of upheaval has not occurred.
That’s resulted in a pre-season without shock conclusions and a quieter confidence. Expectations are rather quiet and that will help Slot greatly; as over time, he will most certainly have to move away from the likes of Mo Salah.
Away day scope
A long old journey from Lime Street or the city centre. Particularly in the long months of December as I once learnt walking back after a 2-2 draw on New Year’s Day. A trip to Anfield can be tiresome because the now traditional Christmas scheduling means chants about poverty and politics. Ahh Boxing Day again, great.
Despite that, the city of Liverpool offers a lot. Pubs previously mentioned in Everton’s preview. The Ropewalks and Baltic Triangle areas have a far more arty vibe than those cited previously. There is a Tate Modern gallery and the Walker Art Gallery also shows off some culture.
Opposition meltdown?
Despite the bizarre view that being a Liverpool FC supporter is ‘different’, their fan groups such as Spirit of Shankly are excellent at keeping the club on their toes.
They have successfully campaigned on ticket prices in the last six months. They mobilise better than most fan groups and one of those at the forefront of the expected pushback from united fan groups across the season.
Points deduction
No – too much world revenue.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Diogo Jota – if he’s not injured, he will score and do some silly celebration in front of the Leicester supporters. High likelihood that goal comes in his comeback game from a long injury lay-off.
xR
Low – a season of building but should still gain an European place. It is likely we see a galvanisation like Ange’s beginning at Spurs. The super computer forecasts a 78% chance of a Champions League spot and 14% chance of European qualification. Effectively a 92% chance that they will be top six.
