Fulham live: We discuss the loss at Burton, Tom Cairney's injury and Rafa Soares' return

Thanks for joining us!

That’s it from this week - thanks for joining us this lunchtime.

We’re speaking to Slavisa on Friday before the game on Saturday, so keep an eye on GWL for all the preview to the Middlesbrough game.

Thoughts on the Riverside development?

Alex asks: What are your thoughts on the Riverside stand plans for development? Do we think it will be the push the players need to realise the ambition to be a Premier League club once again?

Without having seen too much of the new designs and plans and all the rest that comes with it, it’s hard to answer that.

I’m not sure a new stand will be a push to the players in that sense, I think the whole point of it is too get more income and keep the club pushing for Premier League football, and once they’re there again to utilise the income effectively and make the most of any increased attendances.

The push the players need to realise the ambition to be a Premier League club will come from the management and Tony Khan, and I’d say that’s already in place.

Any more questions?

We’ve had a good range of questions today, are there any more out there before we finish?

Why have Fulham been inconsistent?

Paul asks: Why do you think Fulham have been so inconsistent this season?

In all honesty they’ve been fairly consistent, consistently poor, except for the Ipswich game.

It just hasn’t clicked for the side yet, but there are times when Fulham look their quality self.

They’re creating chances too, I reckon it’ll click soon.

Do we miss Chris Martin?

Royer has asked: After the pre-season optimism do you think we got over-excited by Cairney and Sessegnon staying. We’ve not clicked yet and I reckon we miss Chris Martin.

I don’t think there was over-excitement - Cairney and Sessegnon staying was massive for the club and fans had every right to be excited.

It hasn’t clicked yet, and this is going to be hugely unpopular but I agree, I think Fulham do miss a Chris Martin player.

He may have not scored the goals or been popular with fans, but he would drag defenders out of position with his hold up play and strength - someone Fulham don’t have at all this season.

I am a bit surprised that a striker in this mould wasn’t signed - the shape of style of the team worked so well last year that I would’ve thought one would’ve signed, but they didn’t.

What do you expect from Middlesbrough?

Steve has asked: What do you expect from Middlesbrough at the weekend and do you expect them to be up there fighting for automatic promotion come the end of the season?

Hi Steve.

I expect goals in all honesty , they look to be really firing on all cylinders now and clicking in every department - this is the game that will test how good Fulham are without their key man.

I expect them to be there at the end of the season, I tipped them for promotion before it started and I’m going to stick with that.

Why sign an injured player on loan?

Daniel asks: Rafa Soares why sign a injured player on loan how ever good he is makes no sense to me waste of loan fee and then he goes back to his own club apart from that did well in transfer Market not clicked yet but not as bad as some say and would have had more points with better refs really not had run of green . And always going to be hard after last season with expectations higher in a tough league

Hi Daniel, time will tell how good Soares is but he has a reputation having been linked with Liverpool earlier in the summer, but I’m sure if in May Fulham have been promoted with Soares playing a big part you wouldn’t be saying it’s a waste of a loan fee!

I think it makes sense, they’ve taken a bit of a gamble but they’ve done their research on Soares - they needed a left back to replace Malone, who they’ve missed massively since he left.

I think Soares has the potential to be a very good signing.

Could Jokanovic be tempted by Birmingham?

Edward asks: Could Jokanovic be tempted by the Birmingham project? Do you think he will be the Fulham manager long term?

That’s a good question, I don’t think he’d be tempted by Birmingham but I can see him being tempted by a Premier League side.

West Ham were interested last season, as we all know, and with Slaven Bilic’s position seemingly precarious I wouldn’t be surprised if they came back at some stage.

Bettinelli or Button

And leading on from that, Dominic asks: Betts or Butts?

At the moment it’s definitely Button - you can’t fault his performances so far and he’s been very impressive.

But if you read my stuff regularly you’ll know I’m a big fan of Bettinelli - it’s lucky Fulham have two quality keepers fighting for the number one jersey.

Player of the season so far?

Charles has asked: Who has been your player of the season so far and why?

It’s very early for these as we haven’t played many games, but if I was pressed I’d either say David Button or Kevin McDonald.

McDonald has been his usual rock but I’ve been very impressed with Button and the way he’s come back into the side after last season, he’s been solid and looks full of confidence at the moment.

When is Cairney back?

Mary has asked: When is Cairney back?

Good question - Fulham haven’t been able to give a time line on his return and I think, despite its frustrations, that’s wise as they won’t want to rush him and by not giving a time line on his return means there’s no pressure.

I asked Slav about timescales and all he could say was “soon” so I don’t think he knows either.

There’s better news on the Rafa Soares front - he’s started training with the Academy side and I don’t think it’ll be too long before we see him in the first team.

Any questions? Get involved

Thanks for joining us this lunchtime - if you’ve got any questions about the club you fancy asking then get involved and I’ll do my best to answer.

Why aren't Fulham scoring as freely?

Will has asked: What has changed this season which is causing us to lack the ability to score as freely as we did last year? Have we been found out or is it just down the missing core players?

Teams are certainly more wary of Fulham this season, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t say they’ve been found out.

New faces have come in, key players have been injured and I personally don’t think pre-season was good enough for the side to come into the season fully ready and we’re seeing that at the moment.

After a strong start last season, Fulham had a very average middle season and it wasn’t until after the break that they started to thrash team lest, right and centre.

I think Fulham are still finding their rhythm again after last season - there’s no reason for them not to score like they did because most of the same players are there.

What did you make of Burton?

Peter asks: What did you make of Burton; both the game and the town.

Well, the town wasn’t quite my taste but that’s not important.

The team, meanwhile, are well drilled by Nigel Clough and have a lot of heart in their side - it’s one of the main reasons they saw out Fulham on Saturday.

Fulham have a lot of quality but aren’t showing the heart at this point in time, whereas Burton fought for everything and eventually came out on top in what was a huge result for them.

Clough has a job on his hands to keep them up again, but if they play like that for him then I wouldn’t bet against them.

Cause for concern with lack of finishing?

Alex asks: Hi, so it seems one of our main concerns at the moment is the lack of clinical finishing. We make the chances but can’t capitalise. Excluding the obvious with Rui Fonte yet to demonstrate his prowess, is there a cause for concern with this lack of potency in the shooting department and any injury news on TC and Rafa? Cheers, Alex.

I don’t think there’s a cause for concern - yet.

I’d be far more worried if Fulham weren’t creating what I call ‘quality chances’ - that is chances in and around the box that are more than just a strike at goal from distance.

Fulham should certainly be scoring more goals than they are, especially with the amount of strikes they’re having, however Fonte has been injured and he’s been the only striker of that looks capable of scoring goals so far this season.

If this carries on after the international break, I think it becomes a concern then because it will be more than just bad luck.

Lets get started

First question is in, so here we go - Dale asks, Is Slav aware we’ve not kept a clean sheet at the cottage since last January and do you think it is bad luck or due to our open style of play?

Yeah, I think it’s safe to say Slav is aware about not keeping clean sheets and I would bet my house that he’s trying to work on it in training.

I don’t think it’s bad luck, a few games would be but not having kept one for this amount of time is poor, but the club’s style of play does have a bearing.

The side look stronger defensively this season mind, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a clean sheet at the Cottage sooner or later, Button looks good and Ream and Kalas look strong together.

Slav always says he’d prefer a 1-0 win, so it’s definitely a priority.

Welcome to our webchat

Welcome to our Wednesday webchat!

We’ll be answering questions from about 12pm, get your questions in using the form above and I’ll answer them.