Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey face two important Premier League games with Fulham after a late defeat to Ipswich Town left new manager Álvaro Arbeloa fighting to save his job just three months into his time at Craven Cottage, Footynaija.com reports.
Fulham looked close to their first league win of the season at Portman Road on October 10, with Ryan Sessegnon putting them ahead in the 55th minute. But the visitors conceded twice late on, losing 2-1 after Abdoul Ouattara equalised in the 88th minute and Dara O’Shea scored the winner in stoppage time.
The result left Fulham without a league victory after six matches, with only two points and a place at the bottom of the table. It also raised further concerns about a team that has repeatedly struggled to protect its advantage.
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Iwobi and Bassey have both featured regularly during the difficult opening weeks. Iwobi started against Ipswich before making way for Emile Smith Rowe in the 87th minute, while Bassey played the full match in defence.
Hull and Coventry could decide Arbeloa’s future
Recent reports in England have suggested that Arbeloa has two games to improve Fulham’s position, with Hull City and Coventry City their next opponents. Football Insider reported that the manager could lose his job if Fulham lose both matches.
The pressure follows a damaging run in which Fulham have struggled to turn promising positions into wins. Their 2-1 defeat at Ipswich was especially costly because they were ahead until the closing stages.
Arbeloa took charge in July after replacing Marco Silva. He now has little time to show that his approach can deliver results, with the upcoming fixtures against newly promoted sides offering Fulham a chance to get their season moving in the right direction.
For Iwobi and Bassey, the task is to help the team stop conceding late goals and begin collecting points. Their own performances will be judged within a wider team problem, but the manager’s future could soon become the biggest story surrounding Fulham.
