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Fulham v Blackburn Preview: Steve Kean Ready to Be Judged
PREMIER LEAGUE: CRAVEN COTTAGE, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1600 BST
These two sides have amassed a measly total of just one point from their opening matches this season; a statistic neither manager will be pleased with.
The Fulham manager, Martin Jol, saw his side earn that point from a goalless draw with Aston Villa on the opening day of the season while there have been defeats at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle.
Perhaps it was those two results that prompted the signing of striker Bryan Ruiz from FC Twente for the sum of £10.6 million in the transfer window.
Steve Kean has endured an even worse start, with Blackburn yet to register a single point after starting the season with three straight defeats.
That has resulted in calls for the removal of the Rovers manager from fans frustrated at the lack of progress since their team's narrow relegation escape at the end of last season.
While Fulham have been doing their best to boost their attacking threat, Blackburn's problems have been in defence.
Rather strangely, like Fulham they have played Aston Villa and Wolves, however on both occasions Rovers were on the losing end. Kean's side have also lost to Everton.
There were several new arrivals at Ewood Park in the transfer window as Yakubu, Scott Dann and Simon Vukcevic were recruited and could feature on Sunday.
Key Match-up: Bryan Ruiz v Chris Samba. The forward, Ruiz, arrived at Craven Cottage with a big reputation - and with a big transfer fee. There will be great interest to see whether he can repeat his free-scoring at Fulham. While playing in the Eredivisie for Twente, Ruiz scored 36 goals in 61 games and Jol's team need that firepower. It has been one area where Fulham have struggled in the past, particularly whenever Bobby Zamora is missing. Ruiz is likely to be given a rough ride by Samba. The towering defender remained with Rovers, despite plenty of speculation that he would join Arsenal in the transfer window. The centre-back will be instrumental in helping Rovers try to keep a clean-sheet.
Form Guide: Neither of these sides are in form. It could be argued that Fulham are marginally the better, having at least taken a point from their opening three games this season. In the past two years, the Whites have come off the better, beating Rovers 3-2 last season and 3-0 the year before that. Historically, however, Blackburn edge this battle with 34 victories to Fulham's 26.
Odds: Fulham 4-6, Blackburn 9-2, Draw 13-5
FULHAM
New signing Zdenek Grygera is looking forward to making his Premier League debut for Fulham against Blackburn.
The former Juventus and Ajax defender joined the Whites on transfer deadline day and is expected to slot-in to Jol's squad at right-back.
He told the club's website: "In the short time that I've been at Fulham I must say that everyone, from the players to staff, has been very welcoming. I feel really good and at home already.
"I'm really happy that I'm able to write another page in my career and experience something new. I think that I can bring a lot of experience to the team. I hope that everything will work out well here and that I will be able to provide something to the team.
"After having played for Ajax and Juventus, what's important for me now is to get used to English football and everything that is required from me to play well.
"The opportunity to play in the Premier League is a big thing for me. Now I want to concentrate on being here and doing well for Fulham in the Premier League.
"We've been working with a small group this week as a lot of players are away on international duty. There is a lot of quality in the squad."
Strategy: The new arrivals could mean that Jol is able to change his tactic. Ruiz is expected to become the focal point of their attack while Grygera will solve the problematic right back position. Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos will continue their partnership at the back in a 4-4-2 system that relies upon Danny Murphy and Steve Sidwell in the centre of midfield.
Injury Update: Zamora (ankle) could make an appearance from the bench however the game comes too soon for John Arne Riise (groin) while Simon Davies is a long-term casualty with a knee injury.
BLACKBURN
Kean wants fans to forget the last nine months and judge him on what happens from now on after assembling a team he believes can fire Rovers up the table.
Kean's reign at Ewood Park has been difficult, with pressure growing after five wins from 24 league games since his surprise appointment last December.
Rovers head for Craven Cottage without a point after losing the opening three games of the new campaign.
But Kean is confident his side can climb the table after drafting around £11 million of new talent since the last game with Everton ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Dann, Yakubu and Montenegro winger Vukcevic have all arrived in the past two weeks and are set to feature against Fulham.
"I can understand their (fans) frustration with results," said Kean.
"Three games in and we don't have any points on the board. "What I said was bear with us and judge us at the end of the transfer window.
"Now we've got a competitive squad. For a first time in a lot of years there's genuine competition for places at the back.
"We've got different types of players too. There's lots of different combinations and different types of strikers.
"I'm delighted with the squad and I honestly think it's stronger than it was last year.
"I'm very confident we can put points on the board and climb the table quickly."
Strategy: With a game against Arsenal next week, losing is not an option. Rovers simply have to kick-start their season on the banks of the River Thames. While Dann is expected to partner Samba in the centre of defence, fellow newcomers Yakubu and Vukcevic may have to be patient on the substitutes bench.
Injury Update: Morten Gamst Pedersen (hamstring) remains sidelined while Ryan Nelsen (knee) and David Dunn (hamstring) are doubts.
Source: fanhouse.co.uk
