Fulham

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

There are three things in life I absolutely detest: traffic jams, hoovering, and the September international break. But this season I’m actually grateful for it.

When the transfer window closed on Friday night, we’d brought in a total of six first-team players and lost five - six if you include Jay Stansfield, who was set to be included a lot more this season before Birmingham found £15m down the back of their League One sofa.

It was a nine out of 10 window, in my humble opinion - and I think we did about two windows’ worth of squad transitioning in just one. Relatively early moves, like the swoops for Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon, were crucial to achieving that, but the fact remains that when there’s so much change, it takes time for the new players to bed in and for everyone to gel.

Three games in, we have only seen glimpses of our new arrivals, bar Smith Rowe. Sander Berge and Joachim Andersen played in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but - Andersen’s cross-field assist aside - it was clear the pair were not quite up to speed.

It is hard replacing your tyres at 50mph - so it is safe to say Marco Silva will appreciate this two-week window to get this house in order. Berge and Andersen are likely to be away for part of that on international duty, but the rest of the new recruits - including deadline day signing Reiss Nelson - will be at Motspur Park, understanding how they can slot in to serve the greater good.

That could mean it is a different animal altogether that faces West Ham on 14 September.

And, considering not many of us could feel hard done by anyway after picking up four points from nine, we could still be in for a pretty special season.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans

Jonathon: A very promising performance. Ipswich certainly were not outclassed by Fulham - actually they shaded the game. Liam Delap was great, Omari Hutchinson had his first good game of the season and the defence was pretty solid. Two issues: Leif Davis continues to struggle defensively, and I am yet to be convinced by Arijanet Muric.

Matt: A good game, but I have to say that I am a little disappointed with the result. Given how much we pushed and that we played well, I feel we probably should have edged the win. But, it's a point on the board and a point closer to safety! Looking at the teams around us, I think we've started quite well and I think we will be OK this season.

Charlie: I believe this a good point for Ipswich. Fulham are established in the Premier League and will be pushing for a top-half finish this season. Ipswich are just missing some cutting edge in the moments it matters most.

Matt: Excellent all-round performance, fully deserving of a point if not more. Brilliant debut for Kalvin Phillips and thought Delap was excellent again. Really need to look at how we deal with cover for Davis when he's forward as Fulham exploited that to score.

Fulham fans

JD: I can’t see where our goals will come from this season. We don’t have a clinical forward. We still haven’t replaced Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Paul: Very disjointed performance by Fulham. We were slow moving the ball and had trouble moving past the Ipswich press. Expect the new signings to take a while to bed in.

Brian: Right from the get-go, Ipswich were physical and full of energy while it seemed like Fulham were still on holiday and needed oceans of time just dwelling on the ball. Two good goals and an even game that Ipswich shaded. Fulham need to show more energy and fight and are too lightweight for me. But, a point is a point. I'll take it.

Will: Not our greatest outing by any means and despite having possession we didn’t do anything with it. Adama Traore is continuing to improve so that’s a plus. Just one we need to move on from. A point's a point.

Manchester United are looking to sign Fulham's 27-year-old United States defender Antonee Robinson for £30m. (Express), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa

• West Ham 1-3 Man City

Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Adama Traore now has two goals in his last four games for Fulham, albeit spread over the end of last season and the start of the current one.

The 28-year-old has only started four times for the Cottagers since his free transfer a year ago, but the signs in his display at Ipswich were encouraging.

His pace and strength are undoubted assets, but if he can add more goals as the season progresses then he will be key to how Fulham fare.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to BBC MOTD: "The reaction from us was good, we scored a good equaliser and after that we took a step forward and were completely in control.

"The second half was a lot more difficult for us, we were not able to control the game the way we liked. We were solid, we did not give many things but we did not create.

"We should create a lot more when we are on the ball, we have to be more effective in our build up and have more chances to score."

On the impressive Adama Traore: "He created some good moments for other players, he is in good shape, he is helping the team and the reason why he is playing is because he can be decisive for us if he can take the right decisions."

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has provided an assist in each of his last two Premier League appearances.

It is the first time that the defender has been directly involved in a goal in successive league games since December 2023 (run of three).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Ipswich fans, have your say on the performance, external

What did you make of that display, Fulham fans?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are seven Premier League games this Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All times BST

Follow all the action and reaction here

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Leicester v Aston Villa

• West Ham v Man City

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week three, he takes on MOBO Award-winning drum & bass legend and producer Adam F.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

It's a big one for Kieran McKenna.

Ipswich have had a nightmare with their fixtures - Liverpool and then Manchester City. They will see this as a chance to get points on the board.

I think Fulham are really well balanced under Marco Silva but it's vital that Ipswich get points on the board. I think this will be a draw.

Adam F's prediction: 1-2

Ipswich gave us a good game in the first-half on the opening weekend, but they could not quite sustain it. I fancy Fulham to edge this.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Fulham can look forward to a "great season" after the loan signing of Reiss Nelson concluded the club's transfer business.

The 24-year-old joined late on deadline day on a season-long deal.

Tony Khan said: “I'm very happy to welcome Reiss Nelson to Fulham Football Club! Reiss is a talented young player, and we're excited that he's joined the squad on loan!

“His arrival concludes a busy transfer window for the Club, and we're all looking forward to a great season ahead!"

Image source, Getty Images

Jay Stansfield says he has chosen to leave for Birmingham City to develop his career and challenge himself.

The 21-year-old said: "Hiya Fulham fans. I just want to say a massive thank you for the last five years that I’ve been at this amazing club.

"I’ve taken this choice and opportunity to go and play first team football, and taken this next challenge to be able to develop my career, not just as a player but as a person.

"I can’t thank the club enough and all the fans, and everyone around the place, for the last five years and for making me into the person I am today.

"Fulham will always have a special place in my heart, as that’s where I’ve made my home for five years.

"All the achievements that I’ve made, playing in the Premier League and scoring my first senior goal for such a major club, I can’t thank the Fulham family enough for all the opportunities and the love they’ve given me.

"I wish you all the best for the future and hopefully we come across each other again soon."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Birmingham are crossing their fingers Fulham can pull off a deal for Lyon wide man Ernest Nuamah.

A number of clubs, including Everton and Nottingham Forest, have been linked with Nuamah.

However, Fulham are pushing hard.

If they do that deal, it would raise Birmingham's chances of signing Jay Stansfield.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham striker Jay Stansfield has agreed personal terms ahead of a potentially record-breaking move back to Birmingham City.

The 21-year-old is close to a return to Blues for a reported £10m, which would break the League One transfer record.

He scored against Blues in Fulham's 2-0 Carabao Cup win on Tuesday but is now due to join the club permanently.

Stansfield scored 12 Championship goals while on loan at Birmingham as they were relegated last season and won the club's player of the year award.

Follow all of the latest deadline day news live

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Fulham goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond has signed for Gillingham on loan.

Last season, the 23-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Crawley and he then joined Notts County in January, making 11 appearances for both clubs.

He is yet to make a first-team appearance for Fulham.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham full-back Kevin Mbabu has joined Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Mbabu signed from Wolfsburg in July 2022 and made seven appearances for the club.

He also had loan spells at Servette and Augsburg.