Adrian Clarke says Marco Silva’s side must get the balance right to avoid struggles of the past

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical elements of the three clubs joining the Premier League in 2022/23.

Fulham

Fulham return to the Premier League as an attack-minded and tactically stable team.

Marco Silva’s side proved too potent for their Championship opponents last season, scoring an astonishing 106 goals in 46 matches.

Favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation in all but three matches, their tactical approach was built around creating a number of opportunities inside the final third.

Fast starters, Fulham took the lead in 71.7 per cent of their fixtures.

Top attacking stats in Championship

Led by their record-breaking 43-goal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham tormented defences in 2021/22.

Wingers Harry Wilson and Neeskens Kebano chipped in with 29 and 16 direct goal involvements respectively, while 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho also netted eight times and created a further eight from the No 10 role.

They will miss the teenager’s brilliance following his transfer to Liverpool and Fulham will hope to replace his energy and guile this summer.

Thanks to their relentless pursuit of goals, Fulham fashioned 504 shots from inside the box, averaging around 11 per match.

Replicating that in the Premier League will not be possible, so there will be a reliance on clinical finishing.

No team converted more of their chances, 18.89 per cent, than the Cottagers in last season’s Championship, so this is an area of strength.

Fulham will also focus heavily on producing opportunities from corners and wide free-kicks, where they netted 17 goals from set-pieces, the third highest in the division.

With Wilson’s wonderful left foot, expect plenty of chances created from dead-balls.

Top passing stats in Championship

One of Fulham’s key traits under Silva is pinning opponents back with controlled periods of possession.

Comfortable and patient on the ball, they produced 52 more build-up attacks than any other second-tier side last term, and were behind only Swansea City for overall possession.

How much possession will they enjoy in the Premier League?

As a gauge, during the 2020/21 top-flight season, Fulham ranked 11th with 49.44 per cent of the ball under Scott Parker.

This was after averaging 61.58 per cent in the Championship promotion campaign that preceded it.

Last term they average 60.71 per cent of possession, so Fulham will likely opt for a balanced approach once again, with 50 per cent an achievable target.

With Mitrovic at his best when crosses are sent in, it is unlikely they will sit back and become counter-attacking specialists.

High tempo

Fulham’s style is not one-dimensional under Silva, so they should cope well with the tactical adaptations required.

He encourages possession play, but also favours high-tempo football that sees his players press with great energy.

Fulham were very strong in this department last term, with only Coventry City winning the ball more.

Fulham’s attacking prowess means they should carry a goal threat home and away in 2022/23.

Their main concern could be how they cope defensively.

Five Championship sides enjoyed more clean sheets than Fulham last term, who on occasion, looked vulnerable.

In home defeats to Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Coventry, they struggled to deal with opponents who closed them down inside their own half.

Having leaked 43 goals (almost one goal per match), Fulham may look to invest in several new defensive players.

The Cottagers have plenty of talent and a clearly-defined style, but they must still recruit well, especially at the back, if they are to avoid another relegation battle.  

Next: Mitrovic and Wilson key to Fulham’s hopes