"It is not about me, it is about the club, the players and the supporters." That was Alvaro Arbeloa's message before Fulham host Hull City, with pressure building around a team still chasing its first Premier League win. Fulham are bottom on two points after four defeats and two draws from six league games, so the attempt to shift the conversation is understandable enough.

The pressure around Saturday's game

Arbeloa, speaking to BBC Sport, doubled down on the point. "It is not about my future. Like I said before, it is about the club and my players."

That is the line any manager in his position would want to sell, but the results are what keep dragging the focus back. Fulham's league record stands at 0-2-4, and a home game against Hull now feels bigger than it should in mid-October.

The fixture itself is straightforward. Fulham vs Hull City kicks off at Craven Cottage at 15:00 BST on Saturday, and Fulham need more than another respectable performance.

Arbeloa also tried to frame the mood inside the squad as steady rather than anxious. "I saw the commitment of the players in how they have been training. They are so focused on tomorrow's game."

Managers say that often, but Fulham's players do at least have a few recent performances they can lean on.

The near-misses Arbeloa is pointing to

Arbeloa's case is that Fulham have been competitive without finding the win that changes the mood. "They did for many minutes against Ipswich. We did against Manchester United and we did against Liverpool (in their 0-0 draw at Anfield)."

There is evidence for that. Ryan Sessegnon's second-half strike put Fulham 1-0 up against Ipswich Town before they were beaten late. Fulham also drew 1-1 with Manchester United and came away from Liverpool with a 0-0 draw.

Those are not empty excuses. They suggest a side that can stay in games, and probably one that is closer to a breakthrough than a two-point return suggests. But Arbeloa's own explanation also contains the problem. "For me, we need to try to keep that level for 90 minutes, that is important."

That is where Fulham's start has really hurt them. Close spells have not become complete performances, and decent results against stronger sides do not remove the pressure created by being 20th after six matches.

Arbeloa also made a point of bringing supporters into it. "They are looking for the reward and looking for a game where they can get a win for the supporters, they deserve it because of their support."

That probably gets to the heart of this game more than the talk about his future. Fulham do not need a grand reset or a debate about optics. They need a first league win, and the chance comes against Hull City at Craven Cottage on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

FAQ

Why is Alvaro Arbeloa under pressure at Fulham?

The pressure comes from Fulham's league start. They are bottom of the Premier League with two points after four defeats and two draws from six matches. Arbeloa has tried to move the focus away from his own future and back onto the club's need for a first league win.

What did Alvaro Arbeloa say before Fulham play Hull City?

Speaking to BBC Sport, Arbeloa said: "It is not about me, it is about the club, the players and the supporters." He also said: "It is not about my future. Like I said before, it is about the club and my players."

Have Fulham shown signs of improvement despite their poor start?

Arbeloa has pointed to a few near-misses. Ryan Sessegnon's second-half goal put Fulham ahead against Ipswich Town before they lost late. Fulham also drew 1-1 with Manchester United and held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →