Rise of a Football God

Coach Marco Silva called it the fixture of death.

Compared to Liverpool's next 3 fixtures in the English premier league, Fulham's next 3 fixtures was much crazier.

Aston Villa was a big team in the premier league these days, but still, the likes of Aston Villa and Everton could not compare to the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal.

And to cap it all off, their last fixture of the 3 would be the top of the table clash between the 2 main rivals for this season's premier league title.

It still felt crazy to a lot of premier league fans that Fulham was competing for the title even at this point of this season, but it was reality.

Fulham vs Liverpool was surely going to be a blockbuster encounter but before that game, Fulham had to survive the challenge presented by Tottenham and Arsenal. It was definitely their most daunting run of the season.

Playing against Tottenham was going to be tough, but mix Arsenal into the scenario and you've got a fixture of death.

Add Liverpool to round up the trio of games and it was a fixture of oblivion.

When the Fulham players realized it in their next training session after the Brighton games, they felt tense but again, it was a certain player who did the job of defusing the tension again.

Sam chuckled. "Light weight baby". He said.

The others looked at him with weird gazes, he only grinned. "What's Tottenham and Arsenal that we can't beat?" He boasted shamelessly.

"You know, during my first ever game against Manchester City, then I was even still playing in Nigeria, but I scored a hattrick!" He patted his chest.

"Cast your cares on me guys, we'll win!"

They stared at him, and then they all burst laughing. "Shameless bastard!" Emile Smith Rowe cursed as the others laughed their asses out.

Well, Sam's boasting did it, making his teammates laugh and forget the grueling task ahead of them.

Indeed, what was Tottenham and Arsenal that they've not played before?

They would simply take it one game at a time while trying to ignore the pressure that the media and fans would definitely mount on them.

With this mentality, the Fulham players were able to break down the fixture of death into small tasks, focusing on the first one, Tottenham.

After the game against Brighton, they had 6 days of preparation for the Tottenham game and in these 6 days, the Fulham players gave above 100% in training even as Coach Marco Silva also worked overtime, analyzing their opponents.

Despite their current position in the premier league table, Tottenham was still a difficult proposition to any team in the premier league, encapsulated by how they beat Manchester City for the second time this season.

The London club's current style mirrored the style of their coach, Ange Postecoglou who had a philosophy of attacking football.

If you looked at the premier league table, Tottenham was a misfit in the premier league mid-table simply because of goal difference.

Most clubs in mid-table had a goal difference of minus and at most, in the single digits but Tottenham's goal difference was in the double figures.

Their philosophy was outscoring you to death. In most games, Tottenham concede but they always try to outscore their opponents.

Sometimes, it works but most times, this rigid attacking philosophy was the reason why Tottenham found it incredibly hard to see out games, leading to avoidable draws and defeats in the league.

Despite this, they were still a formidable side to play against.

In the build-up to the game, Coach Marco Silva studied their opponents thoroughly, trying his best to enter the head of the opposition goalkeeper.

And after his studying, he finally arrived at the perfect way to beat Tottenham at their own game.

…

Another London derby was coming, and Fulham was prepared.

In no time, it was 15th March already as Ange Postecoglou's troops finally made the trip to Craven Cottage in West London.

Right there on the road, the North Londoners got the reception of passionate Fulham fans, initiating them in the energy of this derby game.
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The players and coach were not the only ones who recognized the importance of the next 3 fixtures for Fulham's prospects this season.

This was why even as the players gave their all in training, outside, the fans gave their all to get in behind their team, giving them maximum support in the build-up to their team's next 3 fixtures.

They gave the Tottenham squad an adequately hostile welcome.

The lineups for the game were already released and like expected, both teams started with their strongest lineups.

Tottenham started with an improvised 4-2-3-1 formation, with Forster standing in between the posts while the 4-man defense ahead of him comprised Porro, Dragusin, Gray, and Udogie.

The midfield duo comprised of Bissouma and Bentacur while the 3-man offensive trio ahead comprised of Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and Heung Min Son, the Korean winger.

Dominic Solanke started as Tottenham's sole striker.

As for Fulham, Coach Marco Silva improvised for this game, starting with a 4-5-1 formation where he heavily loaded his midfield with players.

Raul Jimenez was the sole striker up front, while the 5-man midfield behind him comprised of Emile Smith Rowe, Sam, Lukic, Alex Iwobi, and Antonee Robinson who was pushed upward this game, starting as a left midfielder.

The 4-man defense comprised of Castagne, Diop, Andersen, and Calvin Bassey who was pushed to left back for this game.

Naturally, Bernd Leno started in between the posts.

As the players went into the pitch, lining up, the noise that was being made by the home supporters rose to a crescendo, flying through the roof.

BOOM!

It was hard to focus amid all the noise.

The Tottenham players were heavily affected as they tried to ignore it. For the Fulham players though, knowing that their fans were firmly behind them, they felt like an extra 13th player was lining up with them on the pitch.

They were extremely motivated for this game and when the referee's whistle finally sounded, the game started with a bang.

FWEEEE!