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Alvaro Arbeloa, head coach of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League, Round of 16, 1st Leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC on 11 March 2026 at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain - Photo Oscar J Barroso / Spain ProSportsImages / DPPI / ProSportsImages / DPPI

Why are so many pundits predicting Fulham to go down?

Alvaro Arbeloa's appointment has been met with widespread negativity from outside the Cottage walls - Dave Kidd looks at the reasons and asks whether we should be bothered.

19.08.26, 16:02 Updated 19.08.26, 16:02 6 Minute Read

Dave Kidd

Dave Kidd

SO why are so many pundits and journalists tipping Fulham to go down?

With most Whites fans feeling a keen sense of anticipation – if not blind optimism - heading into the new season, why are we reading and hearing such a wall of negativity from the outside world?

It feels like something of an insult to Alvaro Arbeloa – who was managing Real Madrid last season - to suggest that he will lead Fulham towards relegation after four seasons of blessed mid-table stability under Marco Silva.  

Here, Dave Kidd looks at the reasons why - and asks whether we should be bothered.  

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Dave Kidd

Dave Kidd has been a leading journalist for three decades and was Chief Sports Writer on four national newspapers. As a Fulham fan of 45 years and a season-ticket holder on the Hammersmith End, he will deliver the highest quality coverage of the Club, with the passion of a true fan and the insight of an elite sports writer.

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