Fulham head to Portman Road needing something simple, a win. Five league games into the season, Alvaro Arbeloa's side have two points and sit joint bottom of the Premier League. That is the reality. The table is ugly, even if some of the performances have been better than the numbers suggest.
Draws against Liverpool and Manchester United offered evidence that Fulham are not folding. They competed, they stayed organised and they looked more coherent. What they have not done is turn that into three points, and that is now the job against Ipswich.
The main issue before this Fulham vs Ipswich meeting is Antonee Robinson. The left-back suffered an ankle problem in training on Thursday and remains under assessment. Arbeloa was direct about it, saying: "He had some issues with his ankle yesterday, but we will see later, I don't know right now. I have no idea."
He then added: "I think he will be available, but I have to make a decision if I think he's ready for 90 minutes or he will just start on the bench. Right now I can't answer."
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That matters because Robinson has been one of Fulham's most important players. He has started every league game under Arbeloa and remains a major attacking outlet in this high-press system.
There is better news elsewhere. Kenny Tete is back in contention after missing the 1-1 draw with Manchester United while following concussion protocols. Tom Cairney is also progressing, though this game appears to come too soon after knee surgery in August.
Arbeloa said: "We are very happy because everyone is back and fit. At the moment, everyone is available for tomorrow. (Kenny) Tete is much better. We are so happy to have Tom Cairney back, but maybe a little too soon for him."
This is where Fulham need to stop talking about improvement and start collecting points. Ipswich away may not define their season, but drifting any further behind certainly will.
