What do Fulham have to do to secure European football?

As Fulham enter the final 13 games of their season, the Whites sit in pole position for the predicted eighth and final place European spot. So, how do Marco’s men capitalise on a burst of February form to secure playing on the continent next season?

Consistency is key

Despite a litany of dazzling displays over the course of the last six months, the discourse around Fulham being an inconsistent team has been the only thing consistent about this Silva side this term.

These inconsistencies have come against inferior positions in the table, with the Whites low block struggles being well documented. However, easily dispatching a side in Nottingham Forest, who have deployed a low block to great effect to propel them to third this season could suggest that Marco Silva and his Fulham team are beginning to become tactically flexible and individually confident enough to overcome the Whites’ deep-lying kryptonite. If the Cottagers can continue to combine elements of transition success with a knack for not just controlling games against sides sitting in but also creating as many clear-cut chances as last Saturday, Fulham might just have the blend to pull past their inconsistency in previous months.

Stars stand up and be counted

We are entering the period in the season where each game could be a campaign-defining moment. In these, you need your starts to stand up and be counted. With the plethora of wide options Marco Silva previously possessed all but decimated, the previously mentioned chance creation success Fulham had against Nuno’s Forest side largely came from players like Adama Traore and Emile Smith Rowe showcasing just some of the talents they possess. There are numerous players in this Fulham side that are forever reliable, your Sasa Lukics, your Antonee Robinsons etc, but it will be the players that perhaps aren’t as consistent but have the ability to play at a level above Fulham’s station, if they could deliver on a more consistent basis, that will need to be individuals to see some magic fall in Fulham’s favour.

Who are our European rivals?

With Marco’s men seemingly building form at the right point in the season, what other teams results and dates on Fulham’s fixture list should we circle as ones of the utmost importance? The chasing pack for the final European spot looks to be between one of Fulham, Aston Villa, and Brighton, with just two points separating us in eighth and Brighton in 10th, so the demise of both Aston Villa and Brighton would go a long way in aiding Fulham’s continental ambition.

Important fixtures

Crystal Palace at home on Saturday is a massive game; Fulham has a game in hand on ninth-placed Aston Villa and would have the opportunity to extend the gap to three points, while possessing a much better goal difference than the Villans if the Whites can dispatch of London’s only Premier League side south of the river. Alongside this, London’s original still have to face both of their conference league chasing rivals in Brighton and Aston Villa, both away from home, making both of these monumental games in the future of Fulham football club. Tricky fixtures away to the Cherries at the Vitality, a midweek fixture away at a Wolves side fighting for survival, and a final away day clash at Brentford provide the Middlesex natives the perfect position to play spoiler to Los ‘Blancos’ European return.

What a time

We’ve been here before, and we are nowhere near finishing the job yet. Aston Villa and Brighton both perhaps possess star power that Fulham doesn’t quite have, but as a team, Marco’s side has shown across this season, and in recent weeks, that they can go toe to toe with the best of them. If Fulham can finally overcome their annual donning of the sombrero hat in a few weeks time, this season may be defining in where the club goes in years to come, so enjoy the ride, let’s hope it doesn’t end in Fulhamish fashion. Oh, and don’t forget, we have the FA Cup to win too. What a time to be a Fulham fan eh?