Alvaro Arbeloa says he is not concerned about losing his job as Fulham manager, despite the club sitting bottom of the Premier League after a troubled opening to the season.
Fulham have taken only two points from their first six matches, drawing two and losing four. They are one of three teams, alongside Tottenham and Bournemouth, still waiting for their first victory this term.
It is Fulham’s poorest start to a Premier League campaign since 2020-21, when they drew one and lost five of their opening six fixtures. Their longest winless start to a top-flight season came in 1951-52, when they failed to win any of their first seven matches.
The team have also struggled at Craven Cottage, where they have not won any of their first three home Premier League games this season, drawing one and losing two. Their only longer wait for a first home win in a top-flight campaign was in 1966-67, when they went five matches without victory at the ground.
Fulham have already dropped eight points from winning positions in the Premier League this season. Only Bournemouth, with nine, have surrendered more.
Asked if he feared for his position, Arbeloa said his attention remained on the players and the club rather than himself.
“I am focused on my players, on my team,” he said. “That is the most important thing.
“It is not about me; it is about the club, the players and the supporters. We are waiting for the game when the performance turns into the result.
“I never worry about my position. I don’t feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You have to work, take the decision, and you need to show confidence to your players.
“For me, I am so happy with many things that they are doing. I know it is not easy for them.
“It’s not about my position; it is about Fulham’s position. That is the most important thing. Obviously, it is just six games, but it is true we need points.”
Fulham’s next Premier League fixture is at home against Hull City, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 55.8% chance of claiming their first top-flight win of the season.
However, Fulham have won only one of their six Premier League meetings with Hull City, drawing one and losing four. Their sole victory came in a 2-0 home win in October 2009, when Roy Hodgson was manager.
