by Lawrence Lofts (April 25, 2007)

Are Fulham going forwards or backwards under Lawrie Sanchez?

The debate rages among fans while the team looks like a half-fit fun runner in the last mile of the marathon.

Like the Manchester City debacle, Saturday was a day when we could have secured our Premiership status.

The usually sedate Cottage was rocking and an early Montella goal was surely the cue for a decisive victory over an exhausted Blackburn side.

Well, there goes that theory. The supposedly worn-out Rovers proceeded to play us off the park, and it was a relief when Graham Poll blew up to signal yet another home point.

The season can't finish off soon enough, and if Fulham are to stay up there needs to be a review of everything that is going on with the club.

Teams like Blackburn and Bolton look light-years ahead of us in terms of organisation, achievements and the quality of players they bring in.

Players like McCarthy and Pedersen dominated the game, but they didn't cost any more than Davies and Dempsey combined.

The money we have spent over the past two years has not provided the team with leadership or solidity, although Antii Niemi showed what he can do when fit with a heroic rearguard performance.

The situation looks as grim as ever at the bottom, with West Ham suddenly looking as likely as Charlton to get out of trouble.

We desperately need another point or two from somewhere, which makes this weekend's trip to the Emirates Stadium all the less appealing.

Most Arsenal home games follow one of two distinct patterns.

They either get an early goal and win by a mile, or batter the opponents without putting the ball in the net.

So what could possibly happen on Sunday before our lucky Sky cameras?

You will win no prizes for guessing which way I think it will go.

Despite our fantastic victory over the Gunners earlier on this year, we generally get treated very badly by Arsene Wenger's team.

With confidence at a seasonal low, this one could get messy if Fabregas and friends get on the front foot.

The jury will be out on Sanchez until the end of the season, although anything gained from the next two games will go a long way to rubber-stamping his full-time appointment.

Previous managers have urged us to keep the faith', and if the new boss can mastermind a result at the Emirates, he will have the Fulham fans worshipping him like the new messiah.