Fulham begin life without Louis

14 April 2012

Chris Coleman finds himself today with the difficult tasks of having to strengthen his team at both the front and back.

As if having to replace Manchester United-bound striker Louis Saha was not enough, the Fulham manager will also have to plug the holes that appear when his side tries to defend crosses and set-pieces.

Newcastle won last night's Premiership encounter 3-1 by exposing those weaknesses, just as Middlesbrough had earlier this month, and there cannot be too many Fulham fans looking forward to their FA Cup trip to Everton on Sunday unless something changes at the back.

"We are going to have to keep working on it because it is a shambles," said midfielder Sean Davis.

Coleman agreed but going back to basics with his team must be the last thing he wanted with Saha set to complete his £12million move to Old Trafford today and less than half the transfer window time remaining to replace him. Fulham were due to start that process by signing Brian McBride today from Columbus Crew but they want more reinforcements.

The manager is determined to stick with the 4-5-1 formation which has served him so well until now and his other strikers, Barry Hayles and Facundo Sava, are not suited to it.

Saha was a pivotal part of the plan and playing up front alone for long periods is not a role every striker is up to. McBride, 31, has the right attributes as he is good in the air and can hold the ball up and Coleman is optimistic that he does not need an exact replica of the 15-goal Frenchman to achieve success.

He said: "If it is not broken, don't fix it. We have had joy from this formation and I have a couple of players in mind. The striker doesn't have to have lighting pace like Louis. If he can hold the ball up and has a good understanding of the game he can play that formation." Coleman also said that he will not panic buy and the spirit of his squad will be important until the end of the season if he cannot bring in another striker this month.

Fortunately, it seems the impending sale of Saha has not affected the bond that has developed between the players. When one of a club's best players leaves it often prompts some of his former team-mates to question their ambition and look elsewhere.

But talented midfielder Davis insisted there will be no revolt. He said: "Louis has gone and we wish him all the best and we will get on and do our jobs.

"I know the manager did not want to sell him and he has explained to the players what the situation was. We understand and the main thing is that Coleman is fighting for us.

"It was a great move for Louis. He has gone to the best club in the world and we are upset that we are missing a 20-goal-a-season man.

"But it is a new chapter and we are going to prove we are not a one-man team. Louis leaving was not in our heads against Newcastle and that is not where it went wrong."

Andy O'Brien gave Newcastle the lead last night from close range amid a scramble caused by a fourthminute corner.

Gary Speed was allowed to nip in unmarked to head the second goal from another corner in the 41st minute. Laurent Robert then scored a spectacular overhead kick from a Nolberto Solano cross nine minutes after the break to end the game as a meaningful contest.

Fulham had spells of pressure, particularly in the second half, and were threatening at times but without Saha they lacked a cutting edge.

Davis's goal from the edge of the area 16 minutes from time was no more than a consolation.

Coleman, who also lost Sylvain Legwinski to a cut ankle in the first half, said: "I have got to make sure I prepare my team for a tough second half of the season.

"The lads have been magnificent so far. We have proved a lot of people wrong but there are 16 big games left and we will have to stick together and close ranks."

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David Jones (Footballer)

Fulham begin life without Louis

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