Leeds have qualities Fulham lack – but there are good signs too

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It’s two Premier League defeats out of two for Fulham – and seven goals conceded in the process.

Yet, despite a rocky ride so far on their return to the top flight, they can take heart after being involved in a seven-goal thriller at Leeds, who won 4-3 but had to endure some nervous moments in the second half.



Leeds took control

Speed of thought seemed more prevalent in Leeds white than visiting red.

The energy that saw United get forward at will to create chances will see them win a fair few this season.

Fulham were a lot more ponderous, and like last week against Arsenal, they’re going to have to hit that first-time defence splitter a lot more often – it worked for Bobby Decordova-Reid’s fine goal.

Koch up

The £12m Leeds signing from Freiburg has cost Leeds two penalties in two games already.

But despite Robin Koch’s trip on Joe Bryan for the early leveller, he looked a tidy centre-half, and United might just have unearthed a decent defender.

Fulham need something like the German. Badly.

Communication breakdown

That Fulham defence needs joined-up thinking – and they need it now.

Getting suckered in like youngsters watching the ball and not marking players is going to cost them.

Hélder Costa left on his own for the first; and then a nothing throw-in that became a penalty was down to visitors being dragged out of position.

Michael Hector then decides to defend on the halfway line, and poor Denis Odoi is just not quick enough to outrun Patrick Bamford.

Naive stuff.

Elland Road passengers

Ivan Cavaleiro is going to have to add more. This is not just about willingness and running energetically. It’s also about producing the goods.

So far, it’s easy to see why Wolves thought the Portuguese was better off elsewhere.

Abou Kamara has speed and aggression – but he needs more too. When he’s on fire, it’s great. When he isn’t – and that’s a little too often – Fulham are a forward light.

Josh Onomah has yet to make a telling impact.

No surprise then, two of the three were subbed inside the hour.

Tom Cairney dropped

Was it justified? Oh, yes. Cairney has yet to show in the top flight he’s as potent as he is in the Championship, and we’re talking last time in the Premier League as well.

It’s hard to remember what he added in last week’s defeat against Arsenal.

These are early days, but when you drop your talismanic captain after one league game it’s an ominous sign.

Now the good news

…three goals for a start.

Kenny Tete to Aleksandar Mitrovic as much as possible, please.

Two decent crosses from the new Dutch defender to his Serbian mate – two goals. One midweek, and another against Leeds bodes well for the rest of the season.

Andre-Frank Anguissa looked a lot better than his previous spell with in the Premier League with Fulham.

That new contract for Joe Bryan looks to have been a good bit of business tpp.

He has looked comfortable, and that soft Leeds penalty to which he contributed, was touch-and-go.

With Antonee Robinson waiting in the wings, and Ola Aina a third option at left-back, that’s one position Scott Parker doesn’t need to worry about.