It was a strange way to shut up shop. Charles is physically imposing, has impressed since joining from Southampton and was doing well alongside Sander Berge. The 22-year-old \u00c1ngel is 5ft 7in, was making his Premier League debut and has little experience of senior football. Ipswich\u2019s comeback to win 2-1<\/a> was not a surprise, particularly when Arbeloa\u2019s other rejigs included bringing on Rodrigo Muniz and switching from a 4-2-3-1 system to a flat 4-4-2 in an attempt to defend the lead.<\/p>\n The subsequent floundering felt inevitable. Emile Smith Rowe, another late substitute, was slow to close down Abdoul Ouattara when the Ipswich right-back equalised. Fulham have dropped eight points from winning positions. They are managing games badly and their physical shortcomings were exposed by Ipswich, whose winner came from a poorly defended free-kick and left Fulham in last place before facing Hull at home on Saturday.<\/p>\n Chart showing current favourites for relegation from the Premier League<\/a><\/p>\n Arbeloa needs a win. Relegation fears are growing and there are whispers that the Spaniard\u2019s job is under threat. Fulham had a tricky start \u2013 they have already faced Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United \u2013 but the Ipswich game was supposed to mark a turning point. It was the first of three consecutive meetings with the promoted sides and, with Coventry, Hull and Ipswich surpassing expectations, it is easy to see Fulham\u2019s aim to move to a more expansive style under Arbeloa backfiring.<\/p>\n Questions have to be asked over the decision by the Khan family to appoint someone whose experience of management was limited to an interim spell in charge of Real Madrid last season. Fingers will be pointed at the succession planners. Tony Khan, director of football and son of patriarch Shahid, has faced fierce criticism in the past. Silva offered stability. There was always a fear the project would fall apart once the Portuguese was gone.<\/p>\n Gonzalo Garc\u00eda struggled to make an impression at Ipswich. Photograph: Chris Radburn\/Reuters<\/p>\n It does not help Arbeloa to lean on his time at the Bernab\u00e9u. He responded to a question about pressure after losing to Ipswich by saying: \u201cI played for the best team in the world \u2026 I have coached the best team in the world.\u201d But the optics are awkward. Arbeloa did not win anything as Madrid\u2019s manager, his comments risk making it seem his current employers should be grateful to have him and eyebrows have been raised at three of the 43-year-old\u2019s summer signings coming from his former club.<\/p>\n
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