Alvaro Arbeloa stands by his project at Fulham despite three straight defeats

Three games, three defeats, and a trip to Anfield arriving at the worst possible moment. That is how Alvaro Arbeloa's project at Fulham has started, a club that still doesn't know what it feels like to pick up three points this Premier League season and one that is already starting to feel the pressure from the stands and the microphones.

The Spanish coach, who arrived at Craven Cottage after his stint in Real Madrid's youth ranks, has run headlong into the harsh reality of the Premier League: Fulham sit nineteenth after three matchdays, avoiding last place only on goal difference against Coventry City, the only other team yet to taste victory this season.

The latest loss, a 2-3 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, ended with whistles from the stands and the sense that the Spanish coach is already starting to feel the heat before his time. Against that backdrop, and with a tough assignment awaiting this weekend at Anfield against Liverpool, Arbeloa was asked directly whether he believes he will get the time he needs to build his style of play.

His answer was clear and to the point:

I didn't come here for three games or for a month. I came to improve the club and the team. That's where I put my energy.Alvaro Arbeloa

The Spanish coach insisted that his focus is solely on the next challenge, without looking further ahead or back. "What I'm thinking about is Anfield, I'm not thinking about any other time," he explained at Friday's press conference, making clear he has no intention of getting caught up in the outside noise despite the poor start to the league campaign.

A "very important" match against Liverpool

Speaking about the upcoming clash, Arbeloa was just as candid about the problems his team is facing. He acknowledged that Fulham are creating scoring chances, but that it isn't translating into results.

It's a very important game for us. We've worked hard throughout the week, but we know we have to improve and adjust parts of our game. We create enough chances to win matches, but we're not winning matches. Both statements are true. We know why we're not winning matches and what we need to change. We've been working on it since day one.Alvaro Arbeloa

Arbeloa went further, warning that even a single win wouldn't suddenly change his overall assessment of the team: "Even if we win a game, we'll still be saying the same thing. Winning a game doesn't mean we're doing everything perfectly," he said, making it clear that his plan looks beyond the immediate result.

The Spaniard also spoke about the bond with the fans, something he knows firsthand from facing Fulham as a player during his time in the Premier League. "We're a stronger team when we have the fans behind us. I came here because this club understood the importance of its history and its supporters. I played against this team when I was in the Premier League and I knew how tough it was to play at Craven Cottage. Now we need the fans' support," he added.

For now, the schedule offers no relief. After Anfield, every point Fulham drop will weigh more heavily on the table, and especially on the patience of a club that expects results before Arbeloa's project has time to fully take shape.