Fulham have managed to put together one of the worst starts to a Premier League campaign in the history of the division. With a third of the season gone, the cottagers, who earned promotion from the Championship last season, have posted a W1 D2 L9 record.
Only two sides (QPR in the 2012/13 season and Everton in the 1994/95) collected fewer points (4 each) to the start of a Premier League season.
Next Fulham Permanent Manager odds*
David Moyes 7/4
Alan Pardew 7/4
Claudio Ranieri 7/2
Sam Allardyce 25/1
Steve Bruce 25/1
Chris Coleman 25/1
Slaven Bilic 33/1
Brendan Rodgers 33/1
Frank de Boer 33/1
Mark Warburton 33/1
Bar 40/1
* (betting odds taken on November 12th, 2018 at 4:25 pm)
Even though Fulham’s defence has taken a battering over their opening four games, with 31 goals conceded in their 12 fixtures, their goal difference of -20 actually isn’t the worst ever start to a Premier League season after twelve games. Barnsley’s goal difference of -26 after twelve games at the start of the 1997/08 stands as the worsts, second worst is Derby at -21 in the 2007/08 season. Barnsley shipped 35 goals in their first twelve games of that 1997/98 season.
But the Cottagers have at least stuck with boss Slavisa Jokanovic for now but he looks to be on borrowed time. But maybe the board recognise that last season they won just four of their first seventeen games and still pulled it together in the Championship to earn promotion. Fulham are 1/2 at William Hill to suffer Premier League relegation this season* (betting odds taken on November 12th, 2018 at 4:25 pm).
When Fulham return from the international break they will take on Southampton at Craven Cottage which is going to be a massive game for them with the Saints only three points ahead and fourth from bottom. If the Cottagers fail to win that game, and they have already failed in recent games against Cardiff and Huddersfield, two of the other bottom three, then it would be hard to justify how the club hang on to Jovanovic.
There was a big movement for Alan Pardew in the next Fulham manager market at William Hill, who has been supported into 7/4, making him the joint-favourite alongside David Moyes* (betting odds taken on November 12th, 2018 at 4:25 pm). It would be interesting to see what direction Fulham go in to try and rescue this situation if they boot the current boss. Neither Moyes or Pardew really impressed too much on their most recent managerial stints in the top flight.
Other names in the mix are former Premier League winner Claudio Ranieri, former Wales boss Chris Coleman and Steve Bruce who recently parted ways with Championship side Aston Villa. Surprisingly after a third of the season gone now, no Premier League manager has actually been sacked this far. Will the Cottagers be the first side to make a move. It is all eyes on that Southampton fixture on November 24th.
Next Premier League Manager To Go*
Slavisa Jokanovic 1/2
Mark Hughes 3/1
Roy Hodgson 11/1
Mauricio Pochettino 12/1
Jose Mourinho 14/1
Rafa Benitez 16/1
Claude Puel 16/1
David Wagner 20/1
Neil Warnock 22/1
Sean Dyche 33/1
Manuel Pellegrini 33/1
40/1 bar
* (betting odds taken on November 12th, 2018 at 4:25 pm)
