The Cottagers become the latest side under the spotlight in bwfc.co.uk's series of team previews
FULHAM
Home ground: Craven Cottage
Capacity: 25,700
Manager: Kit Symons
2014/15 league position: 17th
2014/15 top goalscorer: Ross McCormack (19 in all competitions)
Relegated from the top flight last May following a 13-ryear stay in the Premier League, the early stages of the 2014/15 campaign were certainly testing times for Fulham Football Club.
Finding themselves in the second tier for the first time since 2001 last August, the Whites, under the stewardship of Felix Magath, endured a winless streak lasting eight league fixtures, picking up only a solitary point against Cardiff City prior to late September.
Form which saw Magath vacate the managerial hotseat at Craven Cottage, the appointment of Kit Symons breathed much-needed life into Fulham with the Londoners finding their feet under their new leader, picking up a number of impressive results including a 4-0 win over Wanderers in October.
Although eventually finishing a place above Bolton in the Sky Bet Championship league standings, Symons’ introduction undoubtedly ensured that what had initially looked set to be a turbulent campaign would end in relative comfort.
Forced to quickly adapt to life outside of England’s top tier, Fulham will no doubt be keen to put last season’s exploits behind them quickly as they look to challenge up towards the upper echelons of the table this time around.
Their determination to eradicate any chance of a repeat performance this time round has already been evident in the club’s activity in the transfer window, with the Whites securing the services of former Bolton goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan following his departure from Macron Stadium.
Also recruiting Tom Cairney, Ben Pringle, Jazz Richards and Jamie O’Hara on permanent deals, Symons and Fulham are certainly making their intent known early on in pre-season with the club’s faithful hopeful of a more fruitful campaign come the opening day next month.
FIXTURES V BOLTON IN 2015/16
Saturday 19 December 2015 – 3pm kick-off at Macron Stadium
Saturday 7 May 2016 – 12.30pm kick-off at Craven Cottage
RESULTS V BOLTON IN 2014/15
Fulham 4-0 Bolton Wanderers – 1/10/2014 (CLICK HERE for highlights)
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Fulham – 10/2/2015 (CLICK HERE for highlights)