Arbeloa: 'I don't feel fear' as Fulham sink to 2-1 defeat at Ipswich, pressure mounts

Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham lost 2-1 at Ipswich in a Premier League match on Saturday when the hosts scored twice after the 88th minute, leaving the club with two points from six games and bottom of the table.

Fulham were on the cusp of victory but conceded late on at Portman Road, surrendering a lead for the second successive league game in the final minutes. The result continues a difficult start to Arbeloa's tenure, which has produced no wins from six matches and a place at the foot of the standings.

Ipswich's late rally turned the match as Fulham, who had taken the lead through Ryan Sessegnon, were hit by two goals after the 88th minute to lose 2-1. It was the second consecutive league fixture in which Fulham have been leading approaching the final few minutes only to concede.

The defeat increased scrutiny on Arbeloa and his team; the club now have just two points from their opening six Premier League games. "I never worry about my position," said former Real Madrid manager Arbeloa. "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 tendency to concede late has been a recurring problem this season, with the side having let in goals in the final 15 minutes in four of their six Premier League matches. Arbeloa remained defiant after the Ipswich loss, reiterating his credentials and experience. "Maybe you don't know me but I played for the best team in world. I have coached the best team in the world," he said. "Maybe you don't know, but just to let you know, that pressure is part of my life since I was a kid. "So, it is normal in football. It is normal for players, it is normal for coaches and everybody that is around a team. "I think pressure is something that is important for me and I like it."

The appointment of Arbeloa after Marco Silva's departure represented a departure from the stability Silva had provided since his arrival in 2021 and was viewed as a gamble by some observers. Arbeloa arrived with limited senior managerial experience, having had a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid from January until May this year, and his early results at Fulham have raised questions about the decision.

Ryan Sessegnon, who scored Fulham's goal at Ipswich, called for internal reflection following the defeat. "We need to take a hard look at ourselves," he said. "It's a bit of mentality thing at the moment. We need to try and demand more from ourselves. "We need to set higher standards for ourselves because it's going to be a hard season." The Ipswich result was the first of three consecutive matches against newly promoted sides for Fulham.

Fulham's next fixture is at home to Hull on Saturday, 17 October, followed by a trip to Coventry a week later; the club have been warned that failing to claim at least one win from those games would increase the pressure on Arbeloa.